Bihar declares 28 of 38 districts as drought-hit

Patna, Aug 3: Monsoon may be good in various parts of India, but Bihar seems to be far from receiving adequate rainfalls.

The Bihar government on Tuesday, Aug 3, declared 28 of the state's 38 districts drought affected due to 20 percent rainfall deficit, an official said.

The decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting.

In 2009, the government had declared 26 districts as drought-hit, but this year the count has increased to 28.

Cabinet secretary Afzal Amanullah said the state government has initiated several measures such as subsidies on diesel for farmers hit by the drought.

According to the sources paddy transplantation is badly hit in the districts of Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal and Nawada, which had been declared drought hit in 2009 too following a 29 percent rainfall deficit.

The state government is likely to demand Rs 15,000 crore from the central government to tide over the problem.

The monsoon usually hits Bihar in Jun 12-14. While the rains have begun, they have been scanty.

OneIndia News