Drought Relief Operation

188 Agricultural Economics Research Review Vol. 19 (Conference No.
) 2006
Drought Relief Operation: Need of Adequate
Disbursement for Sustainable Development
188 Agricultural Economics Research Review Vol. 19 (Conference No.) 2006
Sudhakar Dwivedi and Arun Bhadauria
D.D.U. Institute of Rural Development, Dr. B.R.Ambedkar
University, Agra.
To find the ground realities and efficacy of drought relief operations, the paper has assessed the
quantum adequacy of relief and has studied the procedure of relief disbursement and beneficiary
identification, through a survey conducted in a sample village at the border of Rajasthan. The
study has revealed that most of the respondents were satisfied with the procedure of relief
disbursement. However, the inadequate amount of relief has put a question mark on the method
of assessment of loss of crop in the area. The coverage area of relief operations has been found
another conflicting point. The study has suggested that relief should be distributed to the victims
on the basis of the extent of their sufferings or losses incurred rather than on the considerations of
asset holding, as happens in the case of loans or subsidies. The study has suggested some steps to
make the relief operations more effective and functional.
Drought Relief Operation: Adequate
Disbursement is necessary for Sustainable Development
Sudhakar Dwivedi&Arun Bhadauria1

Drought in its nature is often held as most severe natural calamity in
different parts of India. Infact this has been the main reason why disaster
management has been a part of Union Ministry of agriculture at Centre. A fact
which itself speaks how drought was identified with disasters. Drought has
accounted for multi-dimensional impact on the socio-economic life of the people.
Apart from dry land areas, flood prone areas may even experience drought
1
Faculty, D.D.U.Institute of Rural Development, Dr. B.R.Ambedkar University, Agra.
sometimes. Nevertheless, droughts have been known to bring forth famines in
ancient and British India. Among such famines memories of Bengal famines are
still alive in the minds of rural folks.
According to an estimate almost 75 percent crops remains at the stake
of drought. Rajasthan is found most drought prone state where drought conditions
are prevalent in 31 out of the 32 districts. Moreover, droughts have clear impact on
33 million (approx) human population and nearly 40 million livestock population.
This account for 3.3 percent of total human population in the country.1 According to
a study, Ajmar-Merwara region can never rely on two good harvests in succession.2
Drought have close impact upon agricultural production. Consequently it causes
high order of destablishment and social destitution. Considering vulnerability of
common man to the drought and catastrophe of droughts, these were declared a
natural calamity. Government of India constitutes Finance Commissions after every
5 years to recommend the devolution of resources for the purpose of constituting
Calamity Relief Fund (CRF). In this regard, after every drought, relief is disbursed
across the different sections of the society. Over the years it has been reported that
Calamity Relief Fund did not serve the intended objective fully and the amounts
provided by the Ministry were used by different states for all kinds of activities,
often not related to calamity relief.3
In order to observe ground realities behind the scenes and efficacy of
relief operations, an attempt has been made to write a paper on the basis of
scientific observations across the drought-ridden beneficiaries. Part-1 of this paper
lists the main methodology and hypotheses. Part-2 elaborates varies findings and
part-3 describes some unlisted but observed ground realities followed by
conclusions.
PART-1
Drought is a recurring natural phenomena in India in general and
Rajasthan in particular, yet Agra is considered among most vulnerable area
adjacent to Rajasthan. The terrain and climate of Agra increases its vulnerability
towards so many disasters among which droughts are very common. In the last
three years, whole district or sometimes parts in Agra division have become the
witness of severity of droughts. Pertaining to this fact this area is considered as
drought prone area. During droughts people were put to great hardship due to
damage of crops and other valuables. Moreover, employment constraints adversely
affected the landless labourers in particular and marginal and subsistence farmers in
general. Villagers were forced to face severity of droughts and left with no
alternative to overcome the situation.
The area selected for survey is overlapped by the two states viz
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. Investigators randomly selected sample village at
Rajasthan border, Sikendarpur. The population in the village comprises Artisan,
marginal, medium farmers. Village Sikandarpur is situated on NH-3 (Agra-Gwalior
Road) in Block-Saiyyon near Rajasthan Border. The relief statistic is listed in
Table-1.
To minimize the impact of devastation, state government supply relief in
terms of money and in fund out of the Calamity Relief Fund and Prime Minister’s
Drought Relief Fund. Over last 3 years Agra division has experienced both full and
partial droughts. As a matter of fact, Authorities have supplied Drought Relief in
terms of cash via various types of media like credit cards etc. in this regard,
following objectives and hypotheses are formulated.
Objectives: - This study aims -
1. to assess the quantum adequacy of relief
2. to study the procedure of disbursement of relief
3. to study the procedure of identification of beneficiaries
4. to give suggestions for revamping the Relief Operations to make them
more effective and functional.
Hypotheses: - Following hypotheses are formulated -
1. Relief amount is quiet adequate to meet out the need and requirements
of drought prone population.
2. Disbursement of relief in cash terms is best mode of disbursement of
relief.
3. The beneficiaries are satisfied with the relief disbursement procedure.
4. Attitude of Relief personnel is missionary and sympathetic towards
beneficiaries.
5. The procedure of identification is efficient and faultless.
PART-II
Findings and Discussions: - On the basis of responses obtained through
schedules filled with respondents (marginal and medium farmers) following finding
are listed here:

1. Anticipated loss and amount of Relief: - Though wide range of
monetary and extra-monetary losses were anticipated, but most noticeable losses
were expected due to crop failure and have close bearing on all other matters of
life. Government, too provide relief on account of measure of monetary loss due to
crop-failure in the region. It was observed during the survey that there is exact
difference in anticipated loss and actual loss incurred. On putting scale of
significance hypotheses of adequate relief for the inadequacy of relief to the
anticipated loss was rejected revealing the fact that the amount of relief was not
adequate as per the anticipated loss. While on the other hand, a same hypothesis for
actual loss was accepted at 5 percent level of significance. (Table 2)
2. Mode of Distribution: -Relief administration decided to disburse relief
amount via those media, which in either way reaches to affected population. The
selected media to distribute amount of relief was Kissan Credit Cards (KCC),
Cooperative Societies accounts at the Panchayats and blocks (local known as
Khatoni). Alongwith the cash disbursement at some places wheat was also supplied
but we have evaluated it in terms of money. Out of 100 beneficiaries 77 percent are
satisfied with the cash terms of disbursement while only 3 percent are satisfied by
Kissan Credit Cards. (Table-3)
3. Procedure of identification: - According the relief personnel names of
affected farmers and families were drawn from local ledgers and Panchayats’
records. The farmers holding up to 8 bigha of land were qualified to get relief.
Qualified villagers were asked to fill up registration forms and photographs to put
their claim for relief. Investigator seeks to the view of all three types of
identification namely Kissan Credit Card, Cooperative Society, Khatoni. More than
60 percent respondents held khatoni as best option followed by KCCs and
cooperative societies.(Table-4)
4. Employment gap: - Usually villagers are engaged in agriculture for most
part of the year and move to nearest town in search of job during off-season. But
prevalence of drought forced them to come out of the village in search of job. The
stranded villagers became the victims of double-edged sword. On the one hand,
they bear loss of crop and at the other hand forced to take loan to fulfill daily
monetary requirements, which they have to pay with interest after some period. In
this way, villagers face great hardship. During survey it was found that there was
no provision for alternate job opportunities from government side and people were
forced to go in urban areas (especially at construction sites) where they hardly get
Rs.50-60 per day. In this way if a farmer is employed normally for 90 men-days at
the field he can earn Rs. 6300 (at the rate of Rs. 70 per day) while he got to work
on daily bases at the rate of Rs. 50 (balanced after deducting traveling expenses and
maintenance) getting sum of Rs. 3000 during the period of three months (drought
period). This makes the gap of Rs. 3300 for an individual. Moreover, if someone
failed to get alternate job, he is bothered to take loan. It was found that many of the
respondents take Rs. 15000 loans. This makes total gap of Rs. 18300. Though this
was not hypothesized in the beginning but later on it was considered as an
important issue and emerged open for debate through this paper.(Table-5)
5. Behaviour of Relief Personnel: - Although responses were sought upon
5 points scale for behaviour, but nearly all responses were found for normal
behaviour. The overall behaviour of personnel found to be fair and normal.
Part-III
Conclusion and Summing up: - In the light of above analysis and findings it is
clear that Drought hits upon rural inhabitants from various corners. However, the
efforts of government though not adequate, yet duly acknowledged.
As far as adequacy of Relief operations is concerned, following points are
specifically mentioned: -
1. Most of the respondents are fully satisfied with procedure of relief
disbursement. Even they appreciate the selection of best mode for disbursement.
2. Amount of relief have proved to be quite inadequate and put
governments method of assessment of loss of crop in gray area.
3. Leave a side few of the stray instances, overall respondents were
reported to be satisfied with the attitude and behaviour of the relief personnels.
They largely reported that government employees were sympathetic as well as
sensitive to their miseries and perils.
4. Out of scheduled questions, conversation with villagers revealed the
fact that there are multiple losses and sufferings on account of drought viz loss of
livestock, malnutrition and under nutrition, social destitution due to severe
unemployment and poverty, psychological trauma faced by family members etc. for
which no good provisions made by the state.

5. The most noticeable point was however, regarding the coverage area of
relief operations. The landholders were held as the real sufferers from drought
while there may be many other classes/castes also which should not have been
ignored. They probably deserve assistances/protection by the states then the
landholders class such as landless, labourers, child workers and women artisans of
feeble earnings and scheduled castes and other castes/classes alike. These
classes/castes are the victim of drought directly or indirectly. This seems to be quite
strange that those sections were provided assistance which depend on land (asset
holding class) while in turn, they were ignored who depend on the earning either
from landholdings only and relief. Relief must be distributed to the victims or
sufferers on the basis of their extent of suffering or losses incurred, rather than any
consideration of asset holding as that happens in the case of loans or subsidies.
6. Study revealed certain facts, which matters most and clearly indicates
some most considerable aspect. First among these is the employment-income gap;
second is gap in targeting beneficiaries in both Saiyyon Block and village
Sikanderpur. Third is the gap in the disbursed amount.
References:
1. Gupta, Madhukar: ‘Livelihood options for Disaster Risk Reduction’;
UNDMT, Jaipur, 2003.
2. Touche, Sir Biggs La : ‘Ajmer-Merwara: Tough Terrain (1874)’; Natural
Hazards Observer, vol XXI No 5, May 1997.
3. Office of Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Report No 3 (Civil),
1999.
Table – 1
Relief Statistic at Saiyyon Block
Block level Figures

1. No. of Beneficiaries 19249
2. Total amount for Rs.573074
relief disbursement
3. Disbursed amount Rs. 2149485
4. Balance Rs. 423589
Source: Saiyyon Block, Statistics Department.
Table – 2
Amount of Relief & Loss
Sr. No. Particulars X S1 Z - score
(mean)
1. Estimated Loss 1690 4637.5 Z1-3 = 3.31
2. Actual Loss 1185 6969.0 Z1-2 = 1.46
9
3. Amount of 151 -- --
Relief
83.5 16.46
Result:
Z cal (1-3) = 3.31 > Z tab = 1.96 ~ 5 % level of significance.
H1: Alternate hypothesis ‘amount of relief is inadequate to estimated loss’ is
accepted.
Z cal (1-2) = 1.46 < Z tab = 1.96 ~ 5 % level of significance.
H0: Hypothesis ‘amount of relief is adequate to actual loss’ is accepted.
Table – 3
Procedure of Relief Disbursement
Sr. No. Mode of Relief Disbursement No. of Respondents satisfied

1. Kissan Credit Cards 03
2. Cooperative Society 20
3. Cash Relief 77
Table – 4
Procedure of Identification
Sr. Level of KCC Coop. Khatoni Total
No. Preference Society

1. Ist 03 20 77 100
2. Iind 10 45 45 100
3. IIIrd 15 25 60 100
28 90 (30) 182 300
(9) (60.6) (100)

*Figures are no of respondents
** Figures in braces are percentage figures.
Table – 5
Observed Gaps
Particulars Amount ( in Rs) % age

1 Anticipated Income 6300.00 100.0
. Actual Income 3000.00 47.6
Gap (employment/income) 3300.00 52.3

2 Target (people) 19249 100.0
. Achieved Beneficiaries 14235 73.96
Gap (in Saiyyon) 5014 26.04

3 Target (people) 379 100.0
. No of Beneficiaries 287 75.72
Gap (in Sikanderpur) 92 24.27

4 Target (Amount to be 2573074 100.0
. Distributed) 2149485 83.5
Disbursed Amount 423589 16.46
Gap

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188 Agricultural Economics Research Review Vol. 19 (Conference No.

D.D.U. Institute of Rural Development, Dr. B.R.Ambedkar

Drought Relief Operation: Adequate

Disbursement is necessary for Sustainable Development

Sudhakar Dwivedi&Arun Bhadauria1

management has been a part of Union Ministry of agriculture at Centre. A fact

accounted for multi-dimensional impact on the socio-economic life of the people.

still alive in the minds of rural folks.

According to an estimate almost 75 percent crops remains at the stake

33 million (approx) human population and nearly 40 million livestock population.

Drought have close impact upon agricultural production. Consequently it causes

high order of destablishment and social destitution. Considering vulnerability of

natural calamity. Government of India constitutes Finance Commissions after every

5 years to recommend the devolution of resources for the purpose of constituting

often not related to calamity relief.3

In order to observe ground realities behind the scenes and efficacy of

scientific observations across the drought-ridden beneficiaries. Part-1 of this paper

Drought is a recurring natural phenomena in India in general and

Rajasthan in particular, yet Agra is considered among most vulnerable area

witness of severity of droughts. Pertaining to this fact this area is considered as

damage of crops and other valuables. Moreover, employment constraints adversely

alternative to overcome the situation.

Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. Investigators randomly selected sample village at

Rajasthan border, Sikendarpur. The population in the village comprises Artisan,

marginal, medium farmers. Village Sikandarpur is situated on NH-3 (Agra-Gwalior

Road) in Block-Saiyyon near Rajasthan Border. The relief statistic is listed in

To minimize the impact of devastation, state government supply relief in

following objectives and hypotheses are formulated.

Objectives: - This study aims -

1. to assess the quantum adequacy of relief

2. to study the procedure of disbursement of relief

3. to study the procedure of identification of beneficiaries

4. to give suggestions for revamping the Relief Operations to make them

more effective and functional.

Hypotheses: - Following hypotheses are formulated -

of drought prone population.

2. Disbursement of relief in cash terms is best mode of disbursement of

3. The beneficiaries are satisfied with the relief disbursement procedure.

4. Attitude of Relief personnel is missionary and sympathetic towards

5. The procedure of identification is efficient and faultless.

Findings and Discussions: - On the basis of responses obtained through

are listed here:

difference in anticipated loss and actual loss incurred. On putting scale of

significance hypotheses of adequate relief for the inadequacy of relief to the

actual loss was accepted at 5 percent level of significance. (Table 2)

2. Mode of Distribution: -Relief administration decided to disburse relief

Cooperative Societies accounts at the Panchayats and blocks (local known as

Kissan Credit Cards. (Table-3)

3. Procedure of identification: - According the relief personnel names of

60 percent respondents held khatoni as best option followed by KCCs and

4. Employment gap: - Usually villagers are engaged in agriculture for most

was not hypothesized in the beginning but later on it was considered as an

behaviour. The overall behaviour of personnel found to be fair and normal.

efforts of government though not adequate, yet duly acknowledged.

As far as adequacy of Relief operations is concerned, following points are

1. Most of the respondents are fully satisfied with procedure of relief

2. Amount of relief have proved to be quite inadequate and put

governments method of assessment of loss of crop in gray area.

3. Leave a side few of the stray instances, overall respondents were

They largely reported that government employees were sympathetic as well as

sensitive to their miseries and perils.

4. Out of scheduled questions, conversation with villagers revealed the

livestock, malnutrition and under nutrition, social destitution due to severe