The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has directed all departments and ministries to co-ordinate with State Governments to address the situation that may arise due to any rainfall anomalies. Dr. Singh has also asked for monitoring the situation on a weekly basis and to be adequately prepared to meet any eventuality. An official release issued by the Prime Minister's cautioned that the progress of the monsoon so far has not allayed earlier concerns.
It said, the rainfall deficiency which existed at the end of June has lessened somewhat, however the intensity and spread of rainfall over the next week or so needs to be watched carefully, especially in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The 84 major reservoirs in the country being monitored by Central Water Commission have now begun to get filled but the current year storage is still 61% of last year storage and 78% normal ten-year average storage.
The Ministry of Water Resources has however indicated that there is no real cause for concern as the reservoirs are now getting filled with heavy rains in the foothills of Himalayas, North-East and parts of Southern India.
Meanwhile the Contingency plans have been prepared by the Centre and shared with the States to be rolled out in areas which continue receiving low rainfall. An inter ministerial Group of the Department of Cooperation is reviewing the situation on a weekly basis and in constant touch with the State Governments.
The Centre has prepared extensive plans to face a rainfall deficient situation if it continues. These include ensuring power availability for agricultural purposes. Unallocated power of approximately 300 MW each is being made available to Punjab, Haryana. Drinking water availability has been accorded high priority.
The Centre has also advised the States to phase out the release of reservoir water for irrigation in a way that in the event of there being less rainfall later, further requests can be met. Increase in subsidy for supply of pulses through Public Distribution System to BPL families is also being brought before Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is taken steps to ensure availability of diesel in the States, especially in North West India.
