939 villages scarcity hit in Guj, says govt

Gujarat government today said that 939 villages of the state were facing water scarcity whereas 2,979 villages were partially affected.
"After the survey of 69 talukas in 10 districts of the state, the government has found that there is a situation of scarcity in 939 villages and other 2,979 villages are facing partial scarcity," state Revenue Minister Anandi Patel said in the Assembly today.
However, the Opposition termed the announcement of scarcity-hit villages as "very late one" describing it as a "face saving exercise."
"The government knew that we were to raise the issue of water scarcity today in the House and hence as a face saving exercises, it on the last moment added a supplementary agenda in today's proceedings and hastily made a statement on it," Leader of Opposition Shankarsinh Vaghela told reporters outside the Assembly.

In the past, whenever a scarcity was declared in any area, the whole taluka was declared scarcity hit, "but surprisingly for the first time this government has declared selected villages of a taluka as scarcity hit areas," Vaghela said.
Patel further informed the House that the government has asked all the Collectors concerned to submit reports on the crop and water situation in their respective districts.
"All Collectors did Anawari survey of the Kharif-1 crops in their areas and submitted reports which were considered in the Cabinet sub-committee meeting held on March 18, 2013," she said.