Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to take stock of drought situation in the state

09 August, 2012

The Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi is scheduled to take account of the prevailing drought situation on Friday in North Gujarat and Kutch in the aftermath of drought.

AS PER media reports Narendra Modi will hold review meetings with district collectors and other officials on the drought situation during his visit to Patan, Palanpur and Bhuj. Reports indicate that the two main issues that will be discussed in the meetings will be availability, distribution and cultivation of fodder and drinking water supply.

Last Friday, during a review meeting on the drought-like situation with a Central team comprising of agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and rural development minister Jairam Ramesh, Narendra Modi had demanded Rs. 14,683 crores in the form of central assistance.

According to reports, the central government has so far released Rs. 320 crores for immediate resolution of drinking water and fodder problems. For this, the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has demanded Rs. 480 crores in total. To help the state to combat the drought, the Centre is also thinking of plans to increase the MGNREGA employment days from 100 to 150 days.

Of the normal rainfall of 900mm Gujarat receives in a year, in 2012, so far, it has got only 22% of the normal rainfall - thus creating drought-like situations in the state, which is famed for its advances in agriculture and the well-being of its farmers. As against the easter and southern parts of the state where rainfall is better, Saurashtra and northern regions have received very little rainfall - with Kutch receiving only 2 per cent. Due to the scant rains, sowing season has also been impacted as so far only 62% area has been sown as against 88% by July last year.