To save standing kharif crops from a weak monsoon, the Centre on Thursday announced 50 per cent subsidy on diesel to farmers in places where rainfall deficiency was more than 50 per cent as on July 15. The 50 per cent subsidy will also be applicable to places as and when states declare these as drought-hit. The government also raised the subsidy ceiling to 50 per cent on seeds to partially compensate the cost of resowing. It also decided to give a special package of Rs 35,000 per hectare for rejuvenation of horticultural crops in areas declared drought-hit.