The State Government declared 527 villages of three districts in Saurashtra region as partially drought-hit on Thursday.
The announcement came following recommendations from a sub-committee formed to check the drought situation in the State. Gujarat’s Education Minister, Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said that villages of the three districts, Rajkot - 157, Jamnagar - 288 and Devbhumi Dwarka - 82 have been declared as partially drought-affected. Though Chudasama clarified that there is no shortage of drinking water or fodder at any village of the state including partially drought hit villages.
The State administration is taking necessary steps to ensure drinking water and fodder availability even in those villages, which are not declared as drought-affected, the Minister informed. For the cattle population, there are adequate arrangements to provide fodder as and when required, he said adding that the water supply board has already started building and repairing hand-pumps and bore-wells wherever needed at the villages.