Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel today directed the in-charge secretaries to visit their respective districts and prepare a comprehensive report on the status of drinking water supply, available water resources and cattle feed.
Amid reports of water shortage in several parts of state due to the delayed monsoon, the CM today held the meeting in Gandhinagar which was attended by, among others, Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Finance Minister Saurabh Patel and Water Resources Minister Babu Bokhiria.
The areas worst-hit by the delayed monsoon are Kutch, north Gujarat and Saurashtra.
The Chief Minister asked the ministers and officials to link the Narmada canal network with local water bodies and dams in these areas if the rains were delayed further.
If the situation does not improve, farmers may have to opt for less water intensive crops such as pulses, jowar and millet (bajra) instead of cotton, groundnut, banana and sugarcane, the state government said.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to ensure supplies of fertilisers and seeds for these crops.
She also asked the officials to procure fodder from other states although, according to the forest department, there is enough grass available for cattle in Gujarat.
