Half a dozen talukas spread over three districts of Gujarat were Wednesday declared as "scarcity-hit" by the government due to deficient rainfall during the current monsoon season.
With this, the number of scarcity-affected talukas in the state has gone up to 16.
A week back, the government had declared all the 10 talukas of Kutch district as scarcity-hit due to scanty rainfall.
The decision to add six more talukas in the category of "scarcity-hit" was taken during a meeting of a sub- committee of ministers formed to review availability of water in the state in the wake of deficient rainfall.
These talukas are Vav, Suigam, Kankrej and Tharad (Banaskantha district), Chanasma (Patan district) and Mandal (Ahmedabad district), Revenue Minister Kaushik Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar after the meeting.
"During the meeting, we have decided to declare these six talukas of Banaskantha, Patan and Ahmedabad districts as scarcity-hit as they have received less than 125 mm rainfall during this monsoon," said Patel.
The minister said the sub-committee would meet every Wednesday to review the situation and suggest appropriate steps to tackle the scarcity situation in affected regions.
Ministers and senior officials of the revenue, labour and employment, agriculture, water resources and animal husbandry departments will take part in the weekly meetings.
During this year's monsoon, which is nearing its end, Gujarat has received just 76.61 per cent of the average rainfall. The rain deficiency is highest in Kutch district and North Gujarat.
Scarcity-hit tag allows the government to undertake relief measures for farmers and other village residents in the affected areas. The government also makes arrangements to provide fodder for cattle at subsidised rates.
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