Guj govt declares 51 talukas as water scarcity hit

The Gujarat government Monday declared 51 talukas, comprising 3,291 villages, as scarcity hit owing to scanty rains and announced that relief measures would be started here from December 1st.

All talukas which recorded less than 250 mm of rains in this monsoon have been declared scarcity hit by the state government, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said.

"Earlier, if the talukas had received less than 125mm rainfall it could be declared scarcity hit as per norms. However, the Centre has revised the norms. Relief work in these talukas will begin from December 1," he said.

The government has declared 10 talukas of Kutch district, nine of Banaskantha district, eight of Patan district, seven of Surendranagar district and four each of Ahmedabad and Mehasana districts, among others, as scarcity hit.

"Crops in affected talukas have failed, so as per the central government norms, farmers will get per hectare relief assistance of Rs 6,800 upto two hectares in the affected talukas," Patel said.

He said cattle fodder will be available at Rs 2 per kg and families will get upto 150 days of employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme in the affected talukas instead of the compulsory 100 days.

Children in villages of affected talukas will be provided mid day meals during vacations days as well, he said.

Farmers and opposition Congress members were demanding to declare many districts as scarcity hit to help people tide over water scarcity situation.