The Hindu : Front Page : Manmohan: monitor monsoon situation closely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Manmohan: monitor monsoon situation closely

New Delhi: With the delay in monsoon raising concerns over farm output, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked officials to monitor the situation closely on a daily basis.

The seasonal rain, which ought to have covered most parts of the country by now, has stopped in its tracks near Mumbai.

The Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Secretary to convene a meeting of a Committee of Secretaries.

Minister of State for Earth Sciences Prithviraj Chavan said the Prime Minister’s Office, through the Cabinet Secretariat, has been monitoring the monsoon. A meeting of Agriculture Secretaries of States that have not received any rain has been convened on Friday to assess the situation.

Top officials, however, maintain that there is no need to panic as policymakers have factored in a 10-day delay in rainfall while drawing up plans. A section of scientists was of the opinion that the delay is unlikely to affect the farm sector as July rain would make up for this month’s deficit. Scientists said the monsoon was expected to revive by Friday, bringing widespread rains across most parts of the country.

Most parts of the country are likely to receive rains till July 15. A strong monsoon surge is being observed in the Bay of Bengal, raising hopes of revival by June 25, India Meteorological Department Director B.P. Yadav said. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page