The Confederation of Indian Industry, northern region, has suggested a series of short-term measures and long-term initiatives to help states in the region cope with the spectre of drought.

In a paper on “how to tackle the drought,” which will serve as a resource document for CII’s interactions with state governments and departments, the confederation has expressed concern that the dry spell will have far-reaching repercussions on all sectors of the economy.

In terms of short-term measures, CII has recommended that the following steps should be taken on a priority basis: Cultivation of select crops like short duration paddy and irrigated dry (ID) crops in focus areas; subsidised seeds at 50% of market price; food-for-work programmes with the involvement of relevant departments/panchayats; constitution of state-level task force headed by top bureaucrats to monitor relief programmes; scrapping of schemes that facilitate subsidised power supply to irrigation pump set connections, particularly in dark or water-scarce blocks; ensuring power supply to drinking water schemes; banning export of fodder to other states; mobilisation of fod-der from all sources; opening of goshalas wherever needed; and launching employment affirmation programmes with central assistance.

CII has also suggested that governments should waive interest on loans taken by farmers wherever possible and convert short-term loans into long-term ones.

In particular, it is necessary to work out a way to take over the loans taken from private moneylenders or reschedule them so that no farmer commits suicide because of high debt.

In emergency situations, CII has suggested some steps for economising the consumption of water: Suspend water supplies of various regions for a specific timeframe on rotational basis.

Wherever applicable, suspend water supply to car washes, saunas, swimming pools. Apply quota system to control the use of water. Water usage exceeding the quota should be charged a higher rate, and those wasting water should be punished.