AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government on Monday declared Devbhoomi Dwarka, Kutch, Jamnagar and Porbandar districts drought-affected following scanty rainfall during the monsoon.Chief minister Bhupendra Patel said the decision was taken in accordance with the Centre’s guidelines after the monsoon ended in the state.Under the Centre’s 2016 guidelines on drought, the declaration will remain in effect for six months, he added, news agency PTI reported.“The state has received 89% rain this monsoon. However, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Kutch, Jamnagar and Porbandar received very little rain. So these four districts have been declared drought-affected,” Patel said.He said the state government would support farmers during the difficult period.“The state government will give assistance under SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) of Rs 8,500 per hectare for two hectares to farmers whose crops have failed. The state government has already started providing fodder at discounted rates of Rs 2 per kilo,” Patel said.The chief minister added that there was sufficient fodder stock in the state, PTI reported.“The Gujarat government will provide Rs 80 per cattle to cattle shelters for upkeep of the animals. It will also provide 150 days of employment under VB-G RAM G (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) ) in affected districts. This will be implemented from November 1,” Patel said.Patel asserted that the state government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would continue to support farmers and the people and take decisions in their favour.(With agency inputs)
