Guj to issue 1 lakh elec connections to farmers in dark zones

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Press Trust of India Ahmedabad
Last Updated : Jan 25 2013 | 4:04 AM IST

Government spokesperson Saurabh Patel said here that the decision was taken at a meeting of the high-powered committee, chaired by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, which reviewed the looming drought-like situation.

In dark zones, government had almost stopped giving new power connections fearing electricity would be used to draw the alarmingly-depleted groundwater. But now, this policy would be reversed in view of a weak monsoon.

"It has also been decided to complete works of missing links in Narmada canal-based pipeline projects to ensure supply of drinking water in drought-prone areas," he said.

Kutch and Saurashtra regions have been the worst-affected in the state, with over 70 per cent deficient rains so far.

The government had asked the district administration to cultivate grass so as to meet the demand for fodder during the next three months, an official statement said.

Modi said in the meeting that the situation was not foreseen as it arose after ten years of good monsoon.

Minister for Water Resources Nitin Patel, Water Resources Adviser B N Navlawala and State Chief Secretary A K Joti among others were present for the meeting.

  

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First Published: Aug 02 2012 | 10:06 PM IST

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