Rajasthan Government Announces ₹9,321 Crore Relief Package for Drought-Affected Areas
The Rajasthan government has unveiled a ₹9,321 crore package to support drought-hit regions facing severe water shortages.
Jaipur, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : The Rajasthan government has declared a special relief package of ₹9,321 crore to assist areas severely impacted by drought. This decision comes after the state experienced a rainfall deficit of nearly 20% during the monsoon season, affecting 87 tehsils across 15 districts. Of these, 73 tehsils are classified as severely drought-affected, while 14 fall into the moderately affected category.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced the package on Friday, emphasizing the need for strict oversight on relief and disaster management efforts. He instructed officials to ensure the availability of drinking water, irrigation facilities, and fodder for livestock for farmers and the general public.
During a review meeting at the Chief Minister’s office, Sharma urged continuous coordination with district administrations to effectively implement relief measures. He highlighted the importance of setting up fodder depots tailored to local needs in districts with below-average rainfall.
The Chief Minister also mandated that adequate drinking water and fodder be provided for animals through gaushalas (cow shelters) to support affected families’ livelihoods. He directed the rural development department to initiate employment and livelihood activities in drought-stricken areas through schemes like VB-G Ramji, Rajivika, and housing initiatives.
Furthermore, Sharma called for a report on crop loss assessments for Kharif crops in affected districts and necessary actions to provide relief to farmers whose crops have failed. He instructed the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) to ensure sufficient drinking water supply in these areas according to emergency plans.
Additionally, he urged the electricity department to prioritize power connections for tube wells and make appropriate arrangements to deliver drinking water wherever needed. Senior officials from various departments, including disaster management, agriculture, and finance, participated in the meeting to discuss the implementation of these measures.
