Bangalore: Union Minister for Agriculture, Ajit Singh on September 24 said the government has permitted drought-hit states, including Karnataka, to utilise Centrally sponsored schemes funds to meet cash component requirement to implement "food for work" programme.

The government awaited report from drought study teams, which had been deployed to affected states to decide on the quantum of financial assistance to be granted, an exercise expected to take about two weeks, he told reporters.

He said while some study teams have already completed their job, others were yet to visit the states allocated to them and submit reports.

"A lot of leeway has been granted to states in diverting Centrally sponsored scheme funds to tackle drought situation," he said.

Singh said the government has released about 10 lakh metric tonnes of food grains to eight drought-ravaged states including two lakh metric tonnes of rice to Karnataka.

Admitting that the intensity of drought was severe in Karnataka as it has suffered 33 per cent deficient rainfall this year, he said, the state has in all sought the release of six lakh metric tonnes of food grains.

He said two-lakh metric tonnes, released now would be for a period of 45 days and government would review the situation later for allotment of more food grains.

Singh said that the country has witnessed on an average 18 per cent deficient rainfall this year and it would be early to quantify the shortfall in food production on account of scarcity conditions.

PTI