151 tahsils declared drought-hit in MP

Bhopal, Dec 27 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government today declared 151 tahsils, across 37 districts, as drought-affected and okayed Rs 43.50 crore for relief work, official sources said.

The decisions were taken at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Mantralaya. Mr Chouhan directed that a memorandum for central assistance be prepared by January 15 and an action plan be readied for potable water supply to villages and cities until the onset of summer. The Chief Minister also directed that employment be ensured for the needy in affected areas besides supply of fodder.

The meeting decided that farmers possessing chaff be appealed to donate it for animals. An additional Rs 80 crore are available for drought relief. A sum of Rs 50 lakh each was ayed for potable water transport in rural areas of Tikamgarh and Chhatarpur districts.

A sum of Rs five crore was sanctioned to the Public Health Engineering Department for potable water arrangements in rural areas, Rs 13 crore ayed for Gwalior and the first instalment Rs five crore dispatched.

UNI