Agricultural Minister Sharad Pawar today announced that 150 days of guaranteed work will be provided under the MGNREGA in drought affected areas of the country. Briefing newsmen on the decisions taken by the GoM on drought, Mr. Pawar also said, interest rates on rescheduled crop loans have been reduced from 12 per cent to 7 per cent for this fiscal in the drought-hit states. He said, Monsoon deficiency has also come down to 8 per cent so far. He said, 71 per cent of the country received normal rainfall.

Mr. Pawar said, the deficient rainfall has impacted sowing which is less by around nine lakh hectrares compared to last year. He said, coarse cereals, pulses and oils seed are more affected in states of Gujarat, Karnataka and Rajasthan. The Agricultural Minister said, the GoM on drought also decided to release funds under the National Rural Drinking Water Program to the tune of 286 crore rupees to Karnataka, 245.86 crore to Gujarat, 160.7 crore to Maharashtra, 115.7 crore to Haryana and 37.2 crore to Punjab.

Mr. Pawar said, incentives have also been extended for drought hit areas under the Fodder Scheme for Cattle rearing and Seed subsidy.