113 of 50,000 villages of MP face water shortage

A total of 113 of 50,000 villages of Madhya Pradesh face the water shortage despite the second successive year of deficient monsoon, its Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told Prime Minister Narendra Modi who took stock of the drought situation in the state here today.
During the meeting, Chouhan briefed the Prime Minister on the steps that the state government has been taking in dealing with the drought situation.
The Chief Minister said that due to preparatory steps, including creation of water storage structures, taken over the last 10 years, the state was relatively well placed to tackle the drought, a PMO statement said.

He said that despite the second successive year of deficient monsoon, transportation of water is required only in 113 villages.
Even if it does not rain till the end of June, this number will be only around 400 villages out of approximately 50,000 villages, Chouhan said.
Initiating the discussion, the Prime Minister said he is holding separate meetings with Chief Ministers of the drought-affected states to assess the specific requirements of each, and to focus attention on both immediate and long term measures.

An amount of Rs 1875.80 crore has been released to the state under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), after adjustments of the state balances, the meeting was told.

This is in addition to Rs 657.75 crore released as central share of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for 2015-16 to the state. A further amount of Rs. 345.375 crore has been released as first instalment of SDRF for 2016-17.
Apprising Modi of steps being taken for drought relief, Chouhan said that 61 lakh farmers have been given a total of Rs 4664 crore as relief assistance. This is the highest ever in the state of Madhya Pradesh, he said, according to the PMO statement.
The Chief Minister said the state is also giving the highest priority to the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.

He also outlined the preparations for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
The Prime Minister and the Chief Minister discussed various agriculture measures including micro-irrigation, use of liquid fertilizer, use of space technology, and focus on building farm ponds.
They also discussed strategies to increase awareness about water conservation and storage, and involving the youth organizations such as National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and Scouts and Guides, in these activities.
Enhancing steps for tree plantation and protection in the catchment area of the River Narmada were also discussed.
"The meeting ended with a resolve on the part of the Centre and state to work together," the statement said.