Ensure quick relief to flood-hit farmers, Deshmukh directed

Nagpur, Aug 21 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today instructed government officials to ensure that there was no delay in providing relief to flood-hit farmers in Vidarbha region, especially those from the tribal belt.

The directives from Mr Deshmukh came while addressing officials at a meeting during a tour of flood-hit areas in Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Buldhana districts of the region.

Deshmukh said open wells and bore-wells should be drilled in areas with water shortage since several irrigation projects were incomplete pending environmental clearance. This would help farmers take an additional crop, he said.

''Candidates knowing the local dialect would be given preference while making recruitment to vacant posts in government offices in these areas,'' he said urging the youth not to join the Naxalite movement.

Mr Deshmukh also presided over a meeting in Amravati late in the evening to review the implementation of the Prime Minister's relief package for farmers.

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