MP witnessing worst drought of the century: Shivaraj Singh Chouhan

Bhopal, Aug 19 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivaraj Singh Chouhan said the state is witnessing the worst drought of the century.

As many as 37 districts of the state were declared drought hit as they are suffering from scanty of rainfall.

Speaking to newsmen Chouhan said, "Due to scanty rainfall, as many as 37 districts of the state were declared drought-affected."

Chouhan said that he has requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to send a central study team to assess the drought situation in the state.

Chouhan also demanded from the Centre to pay 50 per cent of the farmer's power bills as the State Government has decided to bare 50 per cent in the view of drought situation.

According to sources, the state witnessed less than 25 to 27 per cent rainfall in the monsoon till date.

The districts which were declared drought-affected are Alirajpur, Ashok Nagar, Anuppur, Barwani, Bhind, Balaghat, Burhanpur, Chhatarpur, Dewas, Dindori, Datia, Damoh, Guna, Gwalior, Jhabua, Jabalpur, Katni, Khandwa, Morena, Mandla, Narsinghpur, Panna, Ratlam, Raisen, Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Singrauli, Shahdol, Sagar, Sehore, Shivpuri, Sheopur Kalan, Shajapur, Tikamgarh, Umaria and Vidisha. (ANI)