Patna: Amid concerns over a drought-like situation triggered by deficient rainfall across state, chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday told the Bihar assembly that the govt has directed officials concerned to ensure power supply to farmers from 6am to 6pm and asked district magistrates to identify draught-affected areas for disbursal of diesel subsidy to farmers.Responding to concerns raised by MLAs during Question Hour, Choudhary said, “District magistrates have been asked to identify drought-affected areas so that diesel subsidy benefits can be extended to farmers where required.”Earlier, RJD MLA Kumar Sarvjeet raised the issue of inadequate rainfall and its impact on agriculture. Choudhary said the govt remains alert to the challenges faced by farmers and will take further measures if necessary.Before the House proceedings began on the third day of the monsoon session, opposition members staged a protest on the assembly premises against the detention of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, among others, in Delhi on Tuesday. They raised slogans against both the Centre and the state govt.Replying to a question on groundwater pollution, agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said soil testing would be conducted across farmlands in the state. He said laboratories are being set up in more than 550 high schools to facilitate testing.Expressing concern over the use of contaminated water and hazardous chemicals in agriculture, Sinha said these practices were affecting the quality of produce, particularly vegetables, and contributing to the spread of diseases.The govt also faced criticism from members of the ruling alliance over non-functional solar streetlights in villages. JD(U) MLA Shyam Rajak and BJP MLA Jibesh Mishra alleged that nearly 70% of the installed solar lights were not working, questioning panchayati raj minister Deepak Prakash’s assertion that contractors were responsible for repairing faulty units.Meanwhile, BJP MLA Baidyanath Prasad took a swipe at leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav over his absence from the House during the monsoon session. “The leader of opposition is missing from the House. He has failed to discharge the responsibilities of his office,” Prasad said.
