Demand to declare Alot as drought-hit

Bhopal, Mar 1 (UNI) The opposition Congress today demanded in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly that Alot tahsil in Ratlam district be declared drought-hit and employment oriented works started there.

Congress member Prem Chand Guddu, who raised the issue through a call attention notice, alleged that the government was discriminating against in starting employment oriented works. The charge was promptly denied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra.

Minister of State for Revenue Narayan Singh Kushwaha, in his reply, said Alot tahsil received 596 mm rainfal in 2005 as against 1168 mm the previous year. Crop in only three villages was less than 37 percent of the normal, he said, adding the Rural Development Department had started many works.

Mr Kushwaha also denied that the farmers were turning to moneylenders to repay bank loans following crop failure.

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