Observing that "drought in India is politics", Ramesh said assistance sought by Karnataka (Rs 11,000 crore), Maharashtra (Rs 10,000 crore) and Gujarat (Rs 14,000 crore) as drought relief were "inflated" and they have been asked to "re-do" their documents and submit it in a week's time.
"...Many of the demands have nothing to do with the immediate crisis," the Rural Development Minister said.
"It is very clear that this is a very very serious drought. Drought in Maharashtra is the worst in last 20 years, Gujarat drought is the worst in last 25 years and Karnataka drought is the worst in last 40 years," Ramesh told reporters after reviewing the situation in three states with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Chief Ministers.
"Now, every state using this opportunity to make huge demands from the Centre...States are asking money for completing irrigation projects. That's why they come up with the inflated memorandums," Ramesh said.
"So, what we have told the state governments is please separate your demands into two -- what is your immediate drought related demands and the second part is what is your requirement for long term projects. So, they have been asked to re-do the documents. We have given them one week time."
He assured that there will be no step-motherly attitude towards the non-Congress ruled states.
Both Ramesh and Pawar will visit Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan next week to review the drought situation in these states. (More)