Government today said it has released sufficient funds to states from National Disaster Relief Fund to tackle the situation arising out of drought in the country. <br/><br/>Replying to a discussion in Rajya Sabha on prevailing drought and heat wave conditions and water crisis in the country, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that Centre has released funds to even those states who have not been able to spend the already allocated funds. He said the government has also earmarked more funds for drinking water, and fodder schemes .<br/><br/>Mr. Singh informed the house that over 61 thousand crore rupees has been allotted to NDRF for the next five years for relief to states in case of natural calamities. <br/><br/>Intervening in the debate, Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti said there is a greater need for giving focus to river interlinking projects and making water conservation a people's movement. <br/><br/>She said that government has plans to bring 80 lakh hectare agriculture land under irrigation in the near future. Ms Bharti also said the NDA government is committed to fulfill the dream of Dr B R Ambedkar on water conservation and is taking several steps in this direction.<br/><br/>Earlier, participating in the discussion former Agriculture Minister and NCP MP, Sharad Pawar described the situation as very serious saying crores of people in eleven states are adversely affected by the drought situation and shortage of drinking water. <br/><br/>He called for long-term and short-term measures to tackle the situation rising above political considerations. Mr Pawar also said the drought assistance given by the centre is inadequate keeping in view the demand from the states. He suggested completion of pending irrigation projects. <br/><br/>He pointed out 312 irrigation projects are waiting completion in different states including Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The discussion is continuing.

Government today said it has released sufficient funds to states from National Disaster Relief Fund to tackle the situation arising out of drought in the country. <br/><br/>Replying to a discussion of prevailing drought and heat wave conditions and water crisis in the country, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that Centre has released funds to even those states who have not been able to spend the already allocated funds. He said the government has also earmarked more funds for drinking water, and fodder schemes .<br/><br/>Mr. Singh informed the house that over 61 thousand crore rupees has been allotted to NDRF for the next five years for relief to states in case of natural calamities. <br/><br/>Intervening in the debate, Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti said there is a greater need for giving focus to river interlinking projects and making water conservation a people's movement. <br/><br/>She said that government has plans to bring 80 lakh hectare agriculture land under irrigation in the near future. Ms Bharti also said the NDA government is committed to fulfill the dream of Dr B R Ambedkar on water conservation and is taking several steps in this direction.<br/><br/>Earlier, participating in the discussion former Agriculture Minister and NCP MP, Sharad Pawar described the situation as very serious saying crores of people in eleven states are adversely affected by the drought situation and shortage of drinking water. <br/><br/>He called for long-term and short-term measures to tackle the situation rising above political considerations. Mr Pawar also said the drought assistance given by the centre is inadequate keeping in view the demand from the states. He suggested completion of pending irrigation projects. <br/><br/>He pointed out 312 irrigation projects are waiting completion in different states including Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The discussion is continuing.