Govt. to "converge" MGNREGA, other schemes to fight draught

New Delhi, Aug 6 (ANI): The government will converge MGNREGA and other schemes to tackle the drought-like situation in several states and enhance imports of commodities in short-supply to control price rise, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said here on Monday.

Interacting with mediapersons here, Chidambaram said, " MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and other schemes will be converged to meet the challenge of drought."

Terming the poor monsoon so far as "unfortunate", he said the contingency plans are in place to help farmers re-plant alternate crops as well as supply drinking water and fodder.

"Unfortunately, the south-west monsoon has been below expectations. Drought-like conditions have been reported from several states," he added.

Rainfall has been 20 per cent lower during June-July, affecting kharif crops, mainly coarse cereals and pulses and causing drought-like situation in Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Last week, an empowered group of ministers (EGoM) on drought had approved diesel subsidy of 50 per cent to farmers for saving standing crops and about Rs 2,000 crore package for states affected by drought-like situation. (ANI)