Two-thirds of state drought-hit: CM

By Our Special Correspondent

GANDHINAGAR, NOV. 29. Nearly two-thirds of Gujarat were hit by drought this year, a situation even worse than in 1999.

The Cabinet today decided to declare that scarcity or semi- scarcity conditions existed in the State. In 12,240 of the 18,000-odd villages, crop estimates have been placed at less than 25 to 40 per cent of the normal production. These include villages where even sowing operations could not take place for paucity of rains.

Briefing mediapersons the Chief Minister, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, said it was the first time that the process of crop estimates, normally completed by January, was expedited to get a clear picture of the drought conditions. Scarcity had been declared in 5,470 villages, where crop estimates indicated a less than 25 per cent production, and semi-scarcity in 6,770 villages, where crop production was expected to be between 25 and 40 per cent of the normal.

The Cabinet has appointed a sub-committee under the chairmanship of the Revenue Minister, Mr. Vajubhai Vala, to take financial and administrative decisions without waiting for its approval. The Chief Minister, who faced criticism for the Government's failure to handle the drought conditions effectively last year - which was also held out against him as a major reason for the BJP's debacle in the recent panchayat elections - however, denied that he was shirking responsibilities by empowering the sub-committee to handle the situation. ``After all, the Cabinet is above all and I will be there to help the sub-committee to meet the situation effectively,'' he said.

A master plan for providing relief would be prepared after the district collectors concerned submitted their reports. He estimated that the State Government would require more than Rs. 1,000 crores this year, as against about Rs. 900 crores spent last year.

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Section  : Other States
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