Gear up for tackling drought-like situation: HP CM to depts

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today directed the departments concerned to prepare a contingency plan for tackling the emerging "drought-like" situation in the state in vie of prolonged dry spell.
Presiding over a review meeting, he said line departments like horticulture, agriculture, irrigation and public health, animal husbandry and others should gear up and make necessary preparations.
He said besides drinking water problems, there could be acute shortage of fodder for animals as well.
Thakur said as water supply schemes could be affected, the department concerned should explore the possibilities of drilling more hand-pumps and arrange for adequate number of water tankers.

The chief minister said meeting with deputy commissioners should should be held to ensure that district administrations start the process of floating tenders to procure water tankers.
Remedial measures should be taken to stop contamination of drinking water at the source. Preventive steps to check outbreak of diseases such as jaundice, should also be taken, Jai Ram Thakur said.
Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Minister Mahendar Singh Thakur said agriculture and horticulture sectors have been slightly affected due to deficient rainfall in Chamba, Shimla, Solan, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una and Sirmaur districts.
Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhary said the deputy commissioners should submit the demands for funds at the earliest, so that those can be allocated in time.