Bhopal, Aug 18 - The Madhya Pradesh government has asked New Delhi for Rs.11,669.68 crore to tackle the drought in the state, officials here said.

The request was made by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan when he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi Monday.

The state had been witnessing an unprecedented dry spell this decade, with 2003-04 being the only year to record average rainfall, officials here quoted Chouhan as telling the prime minister.

Chouhan said he had asked for financial assistance from the central government in 2007 and in 2008 as well -- immediate aid of Rs.1,548 crore and medium and long-term assistance of Rs.