Advani tours drought-hit areas

AHMEDABAD, APRIL 30. The Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, today visited Patan and Surendranagar districts of Gujarat to assess the extent of the drought situation.

Mr. Advani, who arrived here from New Delhi this morning, immediately left for Patan by helicopter to take stock of the drought which gripped parts of the state this year due to failure of the monsoon, official sources said here.

The Home Minister met people in the affected areas and enquired about relief works undertaken by the Government with a view to providing employment, the sources added.

(Photo by V.V. Krishnan shows an Ajmer-bound truck, loaded with some 400 camel and cattle carcasses, coming from Devikot in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan). All the animals were said to have perished in the last few weeks following severe drought conditions in the region.)

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, has criticised the Opposition, particularly the Congress(I), for making baseless allegations to defame the BJP government instead of extending help to the affected people.

Speaking at a programme for a water supply scheme at Laliyna village in Bhachau taluk of Kutch district yesterday, he said despite the rumours being spread by the Opposition, the Government continued to enjoy the support and cooperation of the State's people in tackling the situation.

- PTI

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