'A deficit of more than six million hectares has been reported in paddy,' Singh said.

Singh, however, said the government was in a position to ensure adequate availability of foodgrains in the drought affected areas.

'We are helped by the fact that we are operating today against a backdrop of record production and procurement of foodgrains in both 2007-08 and 2008-09. This was made possible by the substantial increase in the Minimum Support Prices and other policy initiatives. Thus, we are in a position to ensure adequate availability of foodgrains in the drought affected areas,' he said.

He warned that the reduced production of kharif crops in the current year may have an inflationary impact on prices of food items in the coming months and urged the states to work together with the central government and activate the Public Distribution System.

He also asked state governments to ensure effective enforcement of stockholding limits and strong action against hoarders and black marketers.

'I would urge that wherever there is need, the states should immediately commence relief operations. In case the Contingency Relief Fund available with the states is not sufficient, they should quickly prepare a detailed memorandum for assistance under the National Calamity Contingency Fund,' the prime minister said.

'In short, the contingency plan for crops, drinking water, human and animal health, fodder etc., should be brought into operation without delay and a close watch kept on availability of foodgrains and prices of essential commodities,' Singh said.