The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to amend the drought manual following erratic southwest monsoon this year. The drought rules stipulate that the state should record 50 per cent deficient rainfall by September 30 if it is to be declared drought-hit. Statistics for this season show that as on September 30 the state as a whole had recorded seven per cent deficient rainfall. In other words, this means that farmers in the state are not eligible for input subsidy and other benefits extended to agriculturists in drought-hit areas.