NEW DELHI: Nearly half of the country’s 676 districts are in the grip of drought due to deficit monsoon rainfall, but most of the affected states have so far not even approached the Centre for assistance after doing their ground surveys.Since agriculture is a state subject, the states’ casual approach may not only adversely impact farmers who have already lost their kharif (summer) crops due to less rainfall but it will also affect their rabi (winter) crops in absence of financial assistance on time.Only six out of 18 states have initiated measures to handle the situation and informed the agriculture ministry about the extent of drought in their respective states. “States like UP, Bihar, Telangana and Jharkhand have not even informed the Centre about the problem despite being in the grip of drought. Instead of making political statements, the state governments must do ground survey and inform us about the problem,” said Union agriculture and farmer welfare minister Radha Mohan Singh.Asked about delay in extending assistance to drought-affected states, Singh told TOI on Wednesday that the Centre cannot go ahead with disbursing funds unless states come out with specific details after doing their homework.He cited the example of Congress-ruled Karnataka which, he said, was the first state which took the initiative in this direction way back in August. “As a result, the Centre had responded and approved Rs1,541 crore for the state to mitigate farm distress. We are ready to support all affected states to minimise the impact of drought on farmers,” said the minister.Karnataka in its communication to the Centre had, however, sought Rs 3,050 crore after declaring 27 of 30 districts as drought-hit .Asked why UP has so far not informed the Centre about the drought, member of planning commission in the state Sudhir Panwar said, “Assessment procedure is completed. It is delayed due to elaborate methodology. It will be communicated to the Centre within a week.”This is the second consecutive year when the country has faced a drought situation. Though the kharif sown area this year was higher than last year, the deficit rainfall would affect overall output. The situation may lead to farm distress if states are unable to bridge the deficit during the ongoing rabi sowing season.Apprehending problems in the wake of deficit monsoon rainfall, the Centre had last month approved additional 50 days of employment to rural households under the MGNREGA in drought-hit areas. The move to increase the days of employment from existing 100 days to 150 a year is expected to enable states provide additional wage employment to rural poor in areas affected by drought or other natural calamities.