JMM demands entire Jharkhand be declared drought-hit

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) today demanded that entire Jharkhand be declared 'drought-affected' because of scanty rainfall and a special package of Rs10,000 crore to provide immediate relief to farmers and labourers.

The demand was raised before prime minister Manmohan by JMM chief and former chief minister Shibu Soren in Delhi during the day, the party's senior vice-president Sudhir Mahto said.

In a statement, the party said that farmers who were yet to overcome from the loss suffered last year due to scanty rainfall, were facing a similar situation this year.

It said the JMM demanded a Rs10,000 crore special package.

Referring to a dozen districts already declared drought-hit this year, JMM alleged that no specific or justified criteria was followed in selecting them.

The JMM also alleged that the public distribution system in the state had almost collapsed.