Rajasthan Govt declared 26 districts as scarcity hit

Rajasthan government tonight declared 26 out of 33 districts of the state as "scarcity hit" following insufficient rains and failure of kharif crop after watching the condition of kharif crop. The state government, after considering crop assessment report of collectors of 33 districts, issued a notification to this effect, an official spokesman said.
State Calamity Management Authority, headed by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, will hold a special meeting tomorrow to finalize a memorandum that will be submitted to the central government seeking financial assistance to meet the exigency. Based on the crop assessment, the collectors found that more than 50 per cent of the kharif crop wilted due to insufficient monsoon rains. The state government also announced relief work till 15 July, 2010. Among the districts facing scarcity are Pali, Jodhpur and Jaipur, barmer, jaisalmer and rajsamand.