Patna: The government on Tuesday claimed there is no drought-like situation in Bihar, but it will review the status on August 12.

Bihar has been receiving good amount of rainfall in the past week, bringing down the 48 per cent deficit recorded on July 22 to 23 per cent. The government has, however, decided to continue with the relief measures announced on July 22.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday reviewed the situation and issued instructions to officials to speed up measures announced by the administration.

Bihar chief secretary Deepak Kumar said: "As the state has witnessed 23 per cent less rainfall than normal, several measures have been taken to provide relief to the farmers. However, because of good amount of rainfall in the past one week, around 50 per cent paddy transplantation has been done, over 30.48 per cent more from June 22. Also, 95 per cent paddy sowing has been done."

He added that Patna, Nalanda, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali districts have received rainfall much below average. Patna has received 34 per cent deficit rainfall, while Nalanda and Vaishali are at 25 and 60 per cent deficit. Instructions have been issued to the five district administrations to watch the situation and involve farmers to cultivate alternative crops than paddy.

The decision to continue rescue measures that were adopted in the last meeting was also taken.

Farmers in Bihar will continue to get diesel subsidy of Rs 50 per litre. For irrigating one acre of land, they are supposed to use 10 litres of diesel. One farmer is eligible to get subsidy for three irrigations of one crop.

Also, the farmers will have to pay 75 paisa per unit to irrigate their farm land.

On June 22, the government reduced the energy charges for irrigation by 21 paisa, from 96 paisa per unit.

The measures of constructing houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to provide work to the farmers will continue.

The food and civil supply department has been asked to launch a drive to give beneficiaries ration cards.

Chief secretary Deepak said the India Metrological Department has made a forecast of good rainfall next week but the government will review the situation on August 10.