Too early to reach adverse conclusion on monsoon: Montek

Allaying apprehensions over the possibility of deficit rainfall this monsoon season, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Monday said it is too early to reach the conclusion that something adverse is happening.

"...as of now there is no reason to reach a conclusion that something adverse is happening," he replied when asked about monsoon delays that could lead to deficit rains, hitting economic growth.

Monsoon has missed its date this year with granary states of Punjab and Haryana.

"It is true that monsoon is late...may be a week to 10 days late. Just because monsoon is one week late does not mean that it is gong to have hugely negative effect," Ahluwalia said.

India's crucial monsoon rains have been 31 per cent deficient so far but the weather office has forecast increase in rainfall for the peninsular region and fall in temperature for the northern region over the next four days.

The country has received 119.3 mm rainfall, as against the normal of 172 mm, since its onset last month till July 1, as per the data released by the weather office yesterday.

"Actually it is not (about) the date of the onset of monsoon, it is over all level, distribution over the next four months. You can have a situation where the monsoon is one week late or 10 days late but then it is healthy," he added.