Prepare weekly action plans on drought, minister tells states

 New Delhi, May 18: Under attack for the alleged absence of an effective drought magement plan at the tiol level, the Centre on Wednesday urged governments of states in grip of drought to periodically review water shortage and prepare action plans on weekly basis. “I urge the affected states to take immediate steps to fight drought conditions and review the situation on a weekly basis,” Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh told reporters here. He said the state plans should specifically aim to tide over challenges like shortage/scarcity of drinking water, construction of farm ponds, adoption of micro irrigation projects and diversification to crops using less water. Singh said Prime Minister rendra Modi recently reviewed the drought and water scarcity situations with the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kartaka and Chhattisgarh.  (IANS)