BackCentre seeks more time to collate data on social schemes in drought-hit states
Centre told SC that agricultural secretaries of drought-hit states will meet Union agricultural secretary to assess the situation in the country
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New Delhi: The Centre told the Supreme Court on Friday that agricultural secretaries of drought-affected states will meet with the Union agricultural secretary to assess the drought situation in the country.
The meeting is scheduled to take place during 25-27 January.
Solicitor general Ranjit Kumar told a bench comprising justices Madan B. Lokur and R.K. Agarwal that the Centre would require more time to collate the various social security schemes being implemented in the 12 drought-affected states.
The court on 15 January had asked the states to assist the Centre in doing so.
This came during a hearing in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by non-profit Swaraj Abhiyan seeking the court’s intervention to ensure adequate relief for drought-affected regions.
The apex court had asked the Centre to collate data on deficit rainfall, implementation of National Food Security Act, mid-day meal scheme and the Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
The 12 states, according to Swaraj Abhiyan, are Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Bihar, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Between September and December, all these states except Gujarat, Bihar and Haryana, declared a drought. Rajasthan, too, has declared a drought, although it wasn’t included in the list.
The case will be heard next on 1 February.
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