Ministers fix 2-day deadline to submit drought report

Following the prevalence of drought State Ministers and MLAs are reviewing the situation throughout the state. Meetings are being conducted across the state and reports will be submitted to Central government to seek a drought relief fund. At Madurai, State Minister for Cooperation, Sellur, K Raju, and State Revenue Minister, RB Udayakumar, participated in a review meeting at the Collectorate, on Thursday, where top officials of all departments participated. Udayakumar claimed that Tamil Nadu is the only state that is dependent on North East Monsoon rain and its character is largely unpredictable. In 2015 there were floods but in 2016 rainfall was not even up to the expected level. 

In the case of Madurai district, there is no sufficient water in its two major water resources namely the Vaigai and Periyar rivers. There was very little rain in the catchment areas. This has resulted in severe water crisis. 

Because of the drought farmers had suffered a lot and the relief fund can alone help them. Hence it is the duty of the state government officials to take careful survey of the loss and forward the same for funds to the Central government. The officials should do it in two days said Udayakumar. Sellur K.Raju, in his address, said that he had never seen such a drought in his lifetime. 

Health department should keep always be ready for spread of diseases as people are likely to opt for contaminated water due to shortage. Private water tanker lorries should be carefully monitored. Collector, K Veera Raghav Rao, said that farmers who had insured their crops would be benefited as compensation would be paid to them. But the last date for paying insurance for Rabi crops is January 15 and hence officials at the lower ranks should make sure that all the farmers are insured. 

Monitoring officer of Madurai district, Dharmendra Prathap Yadav, Secretary to Government, Department of Urban Development and Housing, claimed that during times of drought fodder banks should be created.

The two Ministers along with officials visited Aiylampatti and Therkutheru villages near Melur and inspected the dried crops and the uncultivated lands.