New Delhi (PTI): Accepting that monsoon has been inadequate in several parts of northern India, Government on Friday said that in case sowing failed due to lack of rains, it would make additional seeds available to the States.

"As of now seeds and fertilisers have been provided to State governments. However, in case sowing fails in areas where it had been completed, then we will provide additional seeds," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar informed Rajya Sabha.

Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour, he said problems prevailed in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh, where monsoon has been inadequate, "but I feel that the situation will improve".

On the plight of farmers in Vidarbha region, Mr. Pawar said several of them had taken loans from private money lenders, but the loan waiver scheme announced by the UPA government last year did not cover them.

"The government has announced in the Union Budget that a task force would be constituted to address this issue. The Finance Minister will set up the task force on protecting such farmers (who have taken loan from private money lenders). Once this task force is set up, I will be able to give a satisfactory reply," he said.

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