Opinion Gearing for non-rainy days
While the rainfall deficit eventually was wiped off substantially by the end of monsoon...
While the rainfall deficit eventually was wiped off substantially by the end of monsoon,the delayed rains and consequent shortage earlier in parts of the country mean there is still talk of drought. However,just as in drought-hit 2009,states where rains fell short during the crucial sowing period this year have shown contrasting attitudes towards the problem.
While Karnataka,Maharashtra and Gujarat have demanded about Rs 35,000 crore as drought relief from the Centre which is already nervous about crop failures adding to economic woes Punjab and Haryana have sought no such aid.
In 2009 too,the two neighbouring states had been the exception as 15 of their counterparts had lined up to seek relief in the face of severe drought. While the demand was for over Rs 70,000 crore then,the Centre had eventually released about Rs 4,800 crore.
Instead of going to the Centre,Punjab and Haryana had ensured that their farmers didnt suffer crop losses by facilitating assured water supply,including buying power from the central grid at relatively higher prices to run water pumps. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had got Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to compensate the two states later for their power costs.
This time too,Punjab and Haryana took similar measures to ensure that despite the rainfall deficiency,sowing was not hit.
In contrast,initial kharif estimates suggest that about 10 lakh hectares to be planted with coarse cereals and groundnut will go unsown in Maharashtra and about 8 lakh hectares in Karnataka.
The difference in attitudes of Punjab and Haryana as compared to the rest of the states could hold a lesson for dealing with drought. Instead of falling back on relief,states could try putting in place measures to save the crop and seek rewards from the Centre later.
Ravish is an assistant editor based in Delhi,ravish.tiwari@expressindia.com
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