The JMM on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare the whole of Jharkhand a famine—hit state and demanded a special monetary package for farmers.
A delegation comprising Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLAs and MPs, led by its chief Shibu Soren, met the PM at his Parliament Complex office and demanded that the entire state be declared as famine-hit.
“Instead of the present 12 districts, we demanded that the entire state be declared famine-hit,” Mr. Soren told reporters after the meeting.
He said since the State was under President’s rule, it became all the more important for the Centre to “acknowledge” the plight of the common man.
The Jharkhand Governor Advisory Council had on August 4 declared half of the 24 districts in the State as famine-hit.
“For the last two consecutive years, there has been deficient rainfall in the State. The farmers and those working as labourers in fields are suffering, therefore, we also demanded a special package of Rs 15,000 crore from the Prime Minister,” he said.
