Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Patangrao Kadam told reporters that talukas from among the 149 perennially drought-prone areas under the Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) have also been included.
"We declare drought if the rainfall is less than 50 per cent and sowing is less than 50 per cent. But this time we have decided to increase it to 75 per cent," Kadam said.
There are 149 talukas under the DPAP and those which have received less than 75 per cent rainfall and sowing have been declared drought hit.
"The crop yield will be declared on September 15 and more talukas are likely to be added," Kadam said, adding that the proposal has been cleared by the Chief Minister.
The minister said Rs 270 crore grant for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) has been released today and the government has given strict instructions that the amount be disbursed among the beneficiaries in 15 days.
"So far, Rs 1,245 crore have been distributed under the MGNREGA," Kadam said.