Even as the Gujarat government initiated the process of declaring a large part of the State drought-hit in the wake of the monsoon continuing to play truant, the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river started overflowing on Wednesday following heavy rains in its catchment areas in Madhya Pradesh.

A high-level Cabinet sub-committee headed by Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala which assessed the situation has come to the conclusion that scarcity conditions prevailed in at least 152 of the 225 talukas across 22 of the 26 districts in the State, which till the first week of August had received less than 150 mm of rainfall.

152 Of 225 Talukas Affected, State To Seek . 18k Crore From Centre

Gandhinagar: A high-level cabinet sub-committee on Tuesday declared more than half of Gujarat – 152 talukas out of 225 – scarcity-hit.
The committee, headed by finance minister Vajubhai Vala, concluded that scarcity condition prevailed in all these talukas as they have received less than 150 mm rainfall. A government resolution (GR) declaring these talukas as scarcity-hit is being prepared.Relief work for the affected population will begin in these talukas, where cheaper fodder and agricultural subsidies will be provided.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's toughest challenge in a tough election year could be from the rain gods.

The Union government on Friday granted Gujarat Rs.425 crore for rural drinking water supply and agreed to consider the State’s demand for an assistance of Rs.14,673 crore to meet the acute drought conditions.

The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on drought, headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, along with officials, on Thursday held a meeting with Chief Minister Narendra Modi, his Cabinet colleagues and officials.

AHMEDABAD: The central government has announced Rs 320 crore aid for drought relief for Gujarat even though there was no demand from the State. Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and Jairam Ramesh came on their own on a two day visit to assess the situation. During a review meeting with the State Government officials the Centre announced that Rs 425 Crore for supply of drinking water would be released immediately.

The ministers also announced 150 day employment under the MNREGA scheme. At present there is a provision for 100 days employment. They further announced that employment under MNREGA would be given not on per person basis but on family basis.

Khandwa: Today, in the presence of the thousands of oustees, the Narmada Jal Satyagraha of the Omkareshwar dam oustees, commenced in Village Ghogalgaon.

INDORE: Indore, the state's commercial capital, once dependent on the Bilawali and Limbodi water tanks, as well as from the Yashwant Sagar dam is now heavily dependent on the Narmada River (70 km a

Indore, the state's commercial capital, once dependent on the Bilawali and Limbodi water tanks, as well as from the Yashwant Sagar dam is now heavily dependent on the Narmada River (70 km away) for

Bhopal: The State Government will launch a drive for purification and conservation of state’s lifeline Narmada River. Rs. 1298 crore 27 lakh are estimated to be spent on the drive in two phases.