Ranchi, Sept. 24: Chief minister Arjun Munda today told the Group of Ministers(GoMs) that there was adequate funds for drought-affected areas.

The Group of Ministers also decided to rush relief to areas where sowing has been reported to be less than 50 per cent for want of rain. The Group of Ministers identified 550 panchayats spread over 67 blocks and 15 districts which need immediate drought relief measures. They also discussed reports from districts about panchayat areas where there is fear of drought.

The ministers decided to wait for the hathia nakshatra period to end around October 10 before taking a final decision. Sources said hathia rains could improve the situation in many areas.

After the final spell of rainfall this season, the Group of Ministers will declare the panchayats drought-affected, rural development minister Chandra Mohan Prasad said. The meeting also discussed relief measures to be taken. The ministers took into account the nature of soil in different panchayats, Prasad said. “Relief measures will therefore depend on these variables,” Prasad added.