New Delhi: The government has decided to increase foodgrain stocks in areas of deficient rainfall, said prime minister Manmohan Singh, cabinet secretary, monitoring meeting.

In a statement in the Lok Sabha yesterday, the prime minister said that he personally reviewed the situation with the ministers and secretaries concerned on July 9. He also asked the cabinet secretary to review the situation on a weekly basis. The first monitoring meeting was taken by the cabinet secretary on July 13, Singh said.

"The government shall spare no efforts in providing all possible assistance to people in the eventuality of a drought," he said.

Out of 36 meteorological sub-divisions in the country, 16 sub-divisions have received deficient or scanty rainfall so far, he said. Telangana and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, Vidharbha in Maharashtra, western Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand have had deficient rain, ranging from 25 per cent to 51 per cent against normal rain, he said.

The union ministry of agriculture is keeping a close watch on the situation, the prime minister said. ministry officials have reviewed drought relief preparedness in Andhra Pradesh, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, Singh said.

The crop sowing season in all these states extends up to the end of July with delayed rainfall. The precise extent of unsown area can only be assessed after the end of this month, he said. The assessment for employment generation under drought relief measures will be considered after the end of July, the prime minister said, adding that all state governments have drawn up their plans to ensure drinking water supply in the areas affected by deficient and scanty rain in the eventuality of water shortage.