Reviewing the progress at the district planning committee meeting here with MLAs, officials and members of the Zila Parishad and Panchayats in attendance, Ram told reporters that not even 20 per cent sowing of khariff paddy could be taken up in the district due to scanty rainfall.
"I have directed the authorities to make preparations for alternative crops to compensate khariff crop loss to help the farmers," he said, adding the officials were asked to send all details by July 12 as Chief Minister Arjun Munda convened a special cabinet meeting on July 14 for reviewing the latest crop situation in all the states.
"In the cabinet meeting, the government will take stock of the situation and prepare a blue print for relief measures to tackle drought situation. Hazaribagh has recorded only 33 per cent of the normal 400 mm rain fall so far, which is not sufficient to start sowing," he added.