Gujarat govt declares scarcity in 6 more talukas, water theft from Narmada canals to be prevented

Gandhinagar: After declaring all the 10 talukas of Kutch district as rain-scarce/drought affected, the Gujarat government has decided to include six talukas of 3 more districts in the list.

The state government has also asked the home and water supply departments to take steps to prevent the said water theft from Narmada canals.

Revenue minister and head of the related sub-committee, Kaushik Patel today informed this.
He said that apart from all the 10 taukas of Kutch (CM Vijay Rupani during his recent Kutch visit had already announced to declare the district as rain-scarce), four talukas of Banaskantha district Vav, Suigam, Tharad and Kankrej and one of Patan, Chanasma along with Mandal taluka of Ahmedabad district have also been declared rain-scarce with effect from October 1.

‘All these six talukas till date have received less than 125mm of rain. Our sub committee with representation from water supply, agriculture, Labour and employment and revenue would hold review meetings for other areas every Wednesday and take a call,’ he said.

He said that all the arrangements prescribed for the rain-scarce areas would be made for those declared as that. Water and fodder supply would be ensured and steps for providing employment through schemes like MNREGA in such areas would be taken.

Patel said that reports about theft of water through pipes from Narmada canal have also been received and the home and water supply departments have been asked to take steps, to check it.

Notably water is being released in all the canals on regular basis to save the standing crops of farmers in the wake of scanty rain.

DeshGujarat