more-inThe State Government has opposed the revised Manual for Drought Management 2016 brought out by the centre, which will be effective in the ongoing Kharif season. It has demanded its withdrawal on the grounds that it will severely reduce the aid to the drought affected taluks. The new manual for drought management limits centre’s scope to offer financial assistance to states in the eventuality of drought. Unlike the 2009 manual for drought management, which was a mere guideline and not mandatory for the states to follow, the “moderate” drought category has been deleted in the new manual. Only in case of “severe” drought, a state would be eligible for central assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).

Source: The Hindu July 26, 2017 12:56 UTC