Ashok Gehlot warns of water and fodder crisis in Rajasthan, urges govt to arrange supplies
Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has warned of a possible water and fodder crisis in the state, urging the government to take immediate preventive measures and explore arrangements to procure supplies from other states.
Gehlot was in Jodhpur on Monday and spoke to the media at the airport before leaving for Jaipur. He raised concerns over inadequate water inflows into dams, crop damage and low fodder production, warning that the situation could pose serious challenges for livestock protection and rural employment.
He said water-related problems had already begun to emerge in Jodhpur and cautioned that conditions could worsen in other parts of Rajasthan, where several areas were facing drought-like conditions. He urged the government to prepare a comprehensive action plan to ensure drinking water availability and adequate fodder supplies before the situation deteriorates further.
Gehlot suggested that the government should identify drought-affected tehsils and villages and initiate the process of officially declaring them drought-hit. He called for the establishment of fodder depots, arrangements to procure fodder and the opening of relief camps for livestock.
He also warned that rising fodder prices could increase the financial burden on cattle herders. The government, he said, should consider subsidies and other relief measures to support affected families.
Emphasising the need for advance planning, Gehlot said timely arrangements for drinking water, fodder and livestock protection were essential to prevent further distress among rural communities.
The former Chief Minister also expressed concern over the impact of crop damage on rural livelihoods. He said poor families without agricultural land, who depend on daily-wage labour for survival, could face serious financial difficulties as agricultural work declines.
Referring to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), Gehlot warned that the suspension of employment opportunities under the scheme could worsen the situation. He questioned how rural labourers would secure livelihoods amid crop losses and fewer opportunities for wage employment. Gehlot also raised concerns over the conduct of municipal corporation elections and alleged irregularities.
Referring to Jodhpur and Jaipur, he claimed that the outcomes in the formation of governing bodies did not reflect the Congress’s higher vote share. He appealed to rural voters to participate actively in the upcoming Panchayat and Zila Parishad elections and elect their representatives.
Gehlot further criticised the government over the delay in registering an FIR in the Ritu Barala case, saying prompt action by the police could have prevented the escalation that led to a sit-in protest by Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra and other party leaders. He said the fact that senior Congress leaders, including the state party president, had to stage a dharna raised questions about the government’s functioning and the handling of complaints by the police administration.
