Drought situation serious in western Rajasthan
The Sunday mail
Jaipur. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot expressed concern over the serious situation in western Rajasthan affected by drought and famine, & demanded that Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma declare a drought immediately and start relief work instead of making hollow announcements, so that arrangements for fodder and water for animals can be made in the affected areas.
Shri Gehlot said that cattle in western Rajasthan are suffering from hunger and thirst, while the state government is sitting back after merely making announcements. Newspapers across the state are full of reports about the serious drought and famine situation. Despite this, no effective action is visible on the ground to provide relief. On September 30, the Chief Minister had announced the opening of fodder depots in Barmer, but even after eight days, neither fodder depots have been opened nor animal camps started in the affected areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer.
He said that the local administration in Gadra Road has told the media that proposals have been sent to start fodder camps in 23 Patwar circles, but they have not been approved so far.
Shri Gehlot said that the administration is citing the Model Code of Conduct. The question is: when the drought situation was clearly visible, why did the government not make the necessary preparations before the Model Code of Conduct came into force? Was permission sought from the State Election Commission for carrying out relief work?
Expressing deep grief over the deaths of cattle due to the famine, the former Chief Minister said that according to local villagers, cattle have died in more than 20 villages in the Gadra Road area of Barmer. The situation is so serious that, according to reports, cattle are being forced to eat plastic and garbage in some places. According to villagers in border villages, fodder prices have increased up to three times, and complaints of hoarding have also come to light.
On the other hand, the government is providing ₹50 per day for each large animal to gaushalas, while according to gaushala operators, the daily cost per animal is between ₹100 and ₹150. According to the government’s own figures, bills amounting to around ₹383 crore for grants were still pending for payment as of September 9.
He said that the seriousness of the situation can be gauged from the fact that even the BJP MLA from Jaisalmer is demanding that the government immediately declare a drought, but the government has still not declared one.
Shri Gehlot said that the BJP government, which does politics in the name of cows, must now answer for the situation on the ground. How long will cattle continue to suffer without fodder and water? Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma should immediately declare a drought, start fodder depots and animal camps, and arrange for water to be supplied through tankers to the affected villages.
