Sharad Pawar to start 3-day tour of drought-affected states from today

NEW DELHI: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is slated to start his 3-day tour of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Rajasthan, which are considered as India's four worst drought-affected states.

Pawar will be leading a team to drought-impacted areas in these four Indian states from August 1-3 to review the rain deficit along with water scarcity situation.

Moreover, the Agriculture Minister will be first visiting Maharashtra today and then Karnataka tomorrow. He will be holding meetings in Gujarat and Rajasthan on August 3. Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh will also accompany Pawar and hold meeting with Chief Ministers to review the present crisis.

The central team consist of 10-12 members consisting agriculture secretary, animal husbandry secretary and also rural development secretary.

The all-India average of rainfall deficiency stands at 21%. Reports suggest that various parts in Karnataka have witnessed rain deficiency in the range of 21-44%.