There has been further progress in sowing of kharif crops. The latest data received from the states show that the area under cultivation of pulses till the 15th of this month was more than 101 lakh hectares registering an increase of over five lakh hectares as compared to the corresponding period last year .The area under coarse grains like Maize, Bajra, Jowar also showed a marginal increase. However, as far as paddy and oil seeds are concerned the area cultivated under these crops so far has been less than the last year during this period. Three hundred districts in the country have been affected by drought this year because of deficient Monsoon rains.<br/>