Gehlot urges Rajasthan to prepare drought response as water and fodder concerns grow

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has urged the Rajasthan government to prepare an immediate contingency plan for drought-like conditions in parts of the State, warning that drinking water, fodder and employment could become major concerns in the coming months. Speaking to reporters in Jaipur on Sunday, Mr. Gehlot said arrangements were needed for both people and animals.

He called for preparations to begin immediately rather than waiting for conditions to worsen. Mr. Gehlot said on Saturday that drought-like conditions prevailed in about 2,000 villages in Jodhpur, 2,460 in Barmer, 1,216 in Balotra and 961 in Jaisalmer.

He added that several other parts of the Marwar region and Rajasthan were also affected. The Congress leader said Rajasthan had experienced droughts in the past, but their effects had been reduced by tubewells, handpumps and the employment guarantee programme. He alleged that changes to the employment guarantee system meant people no longer had the same assurance of receiving work on demand.

Mr. Gehlot said the government should therefore ensure that relief works were opened in affected areas. He also alleged that an announcement by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on emergency measures in Barmer had not reached the District Collector even after three days, saying the measures should not remain only on paper.

Mr. Sharma announced on October 1 that emergency drinking-water arrangements and tanker supplies would continue until December 31 in low-rainfall areas. He also announced fodder depots in Barmer, Balotra, Jaisalmer and other affected areas, and authorised District Collectors to sanction emergency works costing up to ₹1 crore.

Mr. Gehlot further demanded a waiver of farmers’ loans and said Congress leaders would visit affected areas to assess relief works, payment delays, and arrangements for water and fodder.