BJ to start agitation over drought situation in MP

Bhopal, Feb 3 (UNI) Alleging that the Madhya Pradesh Government has failed to provide adequate relief in drought-affected districts and curb migration of farmers, the Bharatiya Janshakti today announced staging sit-ins at various district headquarters in the state tomorrow.

State BJ President Ashok Tripathi told reporters here today that BJ President Uma Bharti would lead the agitation at Basai in Datia district. Besides 37 declared drought-affected districts, demonstrations would be staged in Indore, Sehore and Jabalpur.

He said the situation was bad in these districts but had not been declared drought-affected.

Mr Tripathi said Bundelkhand was most affected by drought and peasants and labourers were forced to migrate in search of employment. Besides, they were not getting the benefit of central schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme due to rampant corruption.

He said the government must rein in corruption so that intended people get benefit of central schemes. He alleged that the government had announced some tahsils as drought affected due to political considerations although there was no such need. This was injustice to districts affected by drought.

The government has declared 151 tahsils in 37 districts as drought affected and begun relief measures. The government has demanded a package of Rs 24,000 crore from the Centre to tackle the situation.

An indefinite sit-in was started by the BJP under the leadership of state BJP President Narendra Singh Tomar in Sagar divisional headquarters.

UNI PKJ-PS MSJ HT1742