Gandhinagar, Oct 26 The Gujarat government on Monday declared Devbhoomi Dwarka, Kutch, Jamnagar and Porbandar districts as drought-affected.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the decision on drought declaration was taken as per the guidelines of the Centre after monsoon ended in the state. As per the Centre’s 2016 guideline on drought, the announcement will be in effect for six months, Patel added.
“The state has received 89 per cent rain this monsoon. However, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Kutch, Jamnagar and Porbandar received very little rain. So these four districts have been declared drought-affected,” Patel told reporters.
The state government will stand with farmers during these difficult times, he added.
“The state government will give assistance under SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) of Rs 8,500 per hectare for two hectares to farmers whose crops have failed. The state government has already started providing fodder at discounted rates of Rs 2 per kilo,” Patel said.
There is sufficient fodder stock, the CM added.
“The Gujarat government will provide Rs 80 per cattle to cattle shelters for upkeep of the animals. It will also provide 150 days of employment under VB-G RAM G (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) ) in affected districts. This will be implemented from November 1,” Patel said.
The state government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will always remain with farmers and people and take decisions in their favour, Patel asserted.
(PTI News)
