Jaipur — The Rajasthan government has arranged a special package of Rs 9,321 crore to provide relief to drought-affected areas of the state, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said on Friday, according to news agency IANS. The announcement came at a review meeting of the Disaster Management, Relief and Civil Defence Department at the Chief Minister's Office.

Source: IANS via Fresh Headline

Rajasthan has received approximately 20 per cent less rainfall than its average during the monsoon season, and 87 tehsils across 15 districts have been declared drought-affected. Of these, 73 tehsils have been classified as severely drought-affected, while 14 fall under the moderately drought-affected category.

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The 15 districts are Churu, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Dungarpur, Nagaur, Pali, Phalodi, Beawar, Barmer, Balotra, Banswara, Bikaner, Rajsamand and Sirohi, according to the district-wise listing published with the announcement.

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Sharma directed officials to closely monitor relief and disaster management operations and ensure the availability of drinking water, irrigation facilities and fodder for farmers, livestock owners and the general public. He said fodder depots should be operated systematically in districts that received below-normal rainfall, and that drinking water and fodder for livestock should be ensured through gaushalas (cow shelters).

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The Chief Minister directed the Rural Development Department to undertake employment and livelihood activities in the affected areas through the VB-G RAM G, Rajeevika and housing schemes. Officials were also instructed to prepare assessment reports based on girdawari (crop damage assessment) of Kharif crops in the affected districts and take steps to provide relief to farmers who suffered crop losses.

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The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) was asked to ensure adequate drinking water supplies in line with contingency plans, while the Electricity Department was told to prioritise electricity connections for tube wells and arrange transport of drinking water wherever required. Chief Secretary V. Srinivas and senior officials from the revenue, agriculture, animal husbandry, water resources and other departments attended the meeting.

Source: IANS via Fresh Headline