29 tehsils declared drought-hit in MP

RAIPUR, OCT 13: Poor monsoon has dampened the spirits of the proponents of the new Chhattisgarh state which comes into being on November 1...

RAIPUR, OCT 13: Poor monsoon has dampened the spirits of the proponents of the new Chhattisgarh state which comes into being on November 1. Shortage of rainfall has thrown thousands of villages in Chhattisgarh under the grip of severe drought.

The Madhya Pradesh Goverment has already declared 29 tehsils as drought-hit. These include: Bilha and Mungeli in Bilaspur district, Mahasamund, Sarripali and Basna tehsils of Mahasamund district, Dhamtari, Kurud and Nagari tehsils of Dhamtari district, Raipur, Tilda, Baloda Bajar, Palari, Bilaigarh, Kasdol, Simga, Aron, Garibabad and Bhatpara tehsils of Raipur district, Bemetra, Berai, Saja, Novgrah and Bulod tahsils of Durg, Kawardha and Pandaria tehsils of Kawardha district and Raigarh, Kharsia tehsils of Raigarh district.

The severe drought has forced farmers who are unable to repay their debts to migrate to other places for livelihood. According to official estimates, Chhattisgarh, which normally records and average of 800 mm rainfall, has recorded an average of 500 mm rainfall so far.

Ironically, despite the administration planning relief work for the farmers, most of its machinery is busy working on the infrastruture for the capital of the new state.

Ajay Chandrakar, MLA from Kurud, has demanded immediate relief for the harried farmers. 8220;Unfortunately,8221; he said, 8220;drought-relief work has been overshadowed by the hectic political activity for the chief ministership of Chhattisgarh.8221;

Another MP from Sarangarh, P.K. Khunte alleged Chief Minister Digvijay Singh was concentrating on issues like the new Capital for Chhattisgarh and high court rather than addressing drought situation.

In Raipur, Mahasamund, Durg and Bilaspur districts more than 60 per cent kharif crop have dried up. Drought has not only affected the crops but also caused drinking water crisis and shortage of animal fodder. State Home minister Nand Kumar Patel admitted that the region was reeling under the worst-ever drought in last 35 years.