Ranchi, Dec 19: A nine-member team of the central government on Saturday met Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das to discuss the drought situation in the state.
“We are trying to reach out to the nine most-hit districts to assess the damage. A detailed report would be submitted to the Centre after that,” one of the members of the central team told the media here.
Additional Secretary leading the central team Mr. Jalaj Srivastava said that as soon as the official decision taken in this meeting is received, it will be considered immediately for action. The CM directed to complete the official formalities.
The Jharkhand government earlier declared the state drought-hit and sought an assistance of over Rs.1,140 crore — Rs.216.39 crore for agriculture, Rs.30.77 crore for urban areas, Rs.170.39 crore for drinking water and sanitation, and Rs.723.21 crore for water resources — from the Centre.
State Agriculture Minister Randhir Singh and senior officials were also present in the meeting.
Addressing the inter-ministerial central team at Project Building, the chief minister said Jharkhand would provide a buffer stock of 10 quintal grain in every panchayat to deal with the drought situation.
He said that Jharkhand gets 1100-1200 mm rain which needs to be stagnated. In order to meet out these requirements, the govt. targets to complete the work of new check dams, dig ponds and wells so that water stays in the area which will help in irrigating the fields.
The CM said that the Govt. has given proposal to raise MGNAREGA from 150 days to 200 which will help decrease unemployment.
Agriculture Minister Mr. Randhir Kr. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. N. N. Pandey, Principal Secretary to the CM Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary, Finance Mr. Amit Khare, Secretary to the CM Mr. Sunil Kr. Burnwal and other Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries were present in the meeting.
