Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that state government is sensitive. In keeping with this, drought relief works should be undertaken with maximum sensitiveness. Projection of drinking water arrangements should be made on various possibilities about arrival of monsoon. He said that separate long-term and short-term strategies should be chalked out to deal with drought. The Chief Minister was reviewing drought relief works of various departments at Mantralaya here today. A presentation on action for insurance of horticulture crops under Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme was also given at the meeting. Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa was also present at the meeting.
The Chief Minister said that an ambitious plan should be chalked out to supply piped water to every household in rural areas. Piped water schemes should be based on big water sources, lifting of water and surface water sources. He said that PHE and Rural Development departments should coordinate in laying pipelines so that pipelines are laid simultaneously with construction of rural roads
The meeting was informed that better water management work has been undertaken in the state. As a result, drinking water is being made available in every habitat even during drought. Rabi crops have been good. Despite soybean, urad and moong crops getting affected during Kharif season, arhar, cotton and irrigated paddy crops are giving good yields. Action plans are being chalked out in accordance with possibilities about arrival of monsoon. District Irrigation Plans have been chalked out for all districts. Drought-affected farmers in the state are being provided wheat, rice and salt at Re. one per kg.
The Chief Minister reviewed work to insure horticulture crops under Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme. He said that arrangements should be made to insure horticulture crops growing closer to earth. It was informed that farmers would pay only 5 percent premium on insurance amount. Remaining premium would be shared 50-50 by Central and state governments. For insurance of horticulture crops, the state has been divided into 5 clusters. Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries of Revenue, Water Resources, Agriculture, Rural Development, Horticulture, Food & Civil Supplies and PHE departments attended the meeting.