Jharkhand drought victims get free ration

Bero Block (Jharkhand), Aug 10 (ANI): As the drought situation becomes graver, authorities distributed free grains to poor people in Bero Block of Jharkhand on Sunday.

The delayed monsoon and scanty rainfall has badly affected the crops in the region and locals depend heavily on government ration.

"We are distributing free ration as a drought relief to the BPL (Below Poverty Line) and AAY (free meal scheme) card holders...earlier we charge money for this but now we are distributing it for free," said Javed Anwar, Block Development Officer, Bero Block.

Residents said they had no other option but to depend on government supplies.

"All our crops are dying as there is no rain...I have sown wheat in two acres but the plants are not growing. We are receiving ration from the government through our cards," said Genda Gope, a resident.

All the districts of Jharkhand state have been declared drought-hit.

Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked state governments to take first steps to deal with poor monsoon rains that have hit sowing of important crops, leading to a sharp rise in prices of food items like sugar.

Meanwhile, legislators in Bihar held a meeting in Patna, to review the drought situation in the state.

The meeting decided to petition the central government for drought relief.

"We have discussed all vital issues like food, drinking water, animals, fodder and other things...we have unanimously decided to give a memorandum to the central government on drought situation in Bihar," Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told reporters. (ANI)