Drought Situation in Rajasthan
Widespread drought has given a tough time to Rajasthan in 2002. Failure of monsoon saw all the 32 districts of the state reeling under drought causing severe shortage of food, fodder, drinking water and employment opportunities. Almost all districts are suffering from sharp depletion of ground water. This year seems to be an extremely bad year for farmers, already hit by drought in the previous couple of years. With little output in kharif season, now the rabi crop is being adversely affected due to non-congenial temperature this winter. If the condition does not change in the coming months, rabi production may fall by 60 percent. This year due to scarce moisture content in soil, only 2586000 hectare area is sown under different rabi crops in comparison to 6097000 hectares of last Rabi season.

State government called upon all sections of societies to work in unison in extending relief to the drought-affected people of the state. The state Government has taken a series of measures to provide relief to the drought-hit people. These initiatives have added the new dimension to drought management in the state. Several Voluntary agencies also stepped in to lend a helping hand in the drought relief measures undertaken by state government, particularly in the field of cattle conservation and provision of drinking water.

A. Livestock and fodder:

Cattle and other livestock are the most important source of livelihood after Agriculture in Rajasthan, especially for the poor and occupy an important role in the economy. Animal Husbandry contributes over 19 percent to the net state domestic product. Rajasthan has, in fact, the highest livestock population in India, contributing nearly 40% of wool production and10% of all milk production in the country.

In the wake of drought conditions the cattle population of Rajasthan is severely affected, especially due to acute scarcity of fodder and water in the state. The state government has taken several measures for special care of cattle population in the state. Voluntary agencies and Gram Panchayats are involved in a big way to procure fodder from neighboring states and distributing the same in the scarcity affected areas. The District Collectors are directed to motivate these organizations to play a leading role.

Government efforts for saving livestock:

It is essential to care the animals as they are more drought prone. To face the problem of fodder scarcity due to severe drought, special measures have been taken from GOR to increase the sowing area and production of fodder to meet the requirements in the coming months. Government has encouraged farmers to increase the fodder production by providing them subsidy. This step resulted in sharp increase in sowing area of fodder during this rabi season. Total area sown under fodder crops is 165000 hectares against the target of 65000 hectares. Presently fodder is being transported from neighboring less affected district/states. Transport charges are being borne by the state government so in spite of fluctuations people get fodder at reasonable rates.

Progress of cattle conservation measures:

The state Government and other agencies have taken up cattle conservation measures and fodder supply in all the districts. As per requirement the fodder depots have been sanctioned and most of them are operational to cater to the fodder needs at subsidized rates. Cattle camps opened in almost all the districts and taking care of thousands of cattle. Ajmer, Bhilwara, Barmer, Bikaner, Churu, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali, Sawaimadhopur, Tonk and Sirohi districts have been given priority for sanctioning of fodder depot in the state.

So far 3263 depots have been started out of the total sanctioned 4022. Total 271645.53 MT fodder has been distributed through fodder depots. Apart from these, 848 cattle camps have been opened out of 1027 sanctioned and these take care of 250338 cattle. 524 Goshalas are also functioning in the state and these are providing shelter to 195547 cattle. Of these 102 cattle camps, 158 fodder Depots and 119 Goshalas are being run with the help of NGOs/Donors.

B. Drinking water and Health care:

This year, all the 41000 villages of Rajasthan have been declared scarcity hit. As per the assessment of Government, drinking water need to be transported through railways, truck and tankers in 12430 villages. GOR has the provision of Rs.5450 million for making arrangement for the supply of drinking water out of which Rs.2390 million would be granted by GOI. As per govt. sources, the ground water level in 177 blocks out of total 237 blocks has gone down to threatening level. The situation is crucial in the 11 blocks, which are declared as Dark Zones. In addition, per capita water availability is shrinking continuously, and it is currently less than 60% of the average requirement of 1000 cubic mt. /per year. According to Water supply department, presently drinking water is supplied once in three days in 9 towns, once in two days in 25 towns and daily in 188 towns.

At a meeting of the guidelines committee on relief measures, presided over by Chief Minister of Rajasthan, the Govt has decided to electrify the hand pumps to boost water supply. The decision has been taken as part of relief measures for the drought affected people and aims at improving drinking water supply for the villagers and cattle. It has been decided that the electrification of hand pumps in ten villages under every Panchayat samiti to strengthen the water supply system. All District Collectors have been instructed to implement the decision. Under the new system, handpumps in the chosen villages of every Panchayat samity would be given a single phase electric connection. Water from these hand pumps would be supplied through synthetic water tanks. For making water available to cattle, small tanks would be constructed by the PHED near wells. Private hand pumps and tube wells lying unused would be used for irrigation while wells would be used for supplying drinking water.

District Administration, NGOs and other agencies are making efforts to supply drinking water. Ajmer, Jaipur, Kota, Barmer, Churu, Jhalawar, Bhilwara, Rajsamand and Dungarpur have been given highest priority in this regard.

Master plans for Water conservation and water harvesting in 30 districts of Rajasthan have been prepared with the help of Remote Sensing technology.

GoR has prepared an emergency plan of Rs. 5180 million for 22430 habitations for drinking water arrangements in coming summer, out of which Rs.3560 million would be spent in rural areas and Rs.1620 million in urban areas. Government has started work on an emergency plan of Rs 106.5 million for worst drought hit 48 blocks of the state. In these blocks 860 hand pumps and 196 tube wells would be established to strengthen the drinking water supply system. District wise blocks and allocation of funds is as follows:

In the state 1269985 people from 2759 villages have been supplied drinking water through 2910 tankers till Dec.15, 2002. Out of this, 142 tankers with the help of NGOs/private persons benefited 123 villages.

Health and nutritional aspects are becoming a major concern due to recurrence of drought, especially for the vulnerable groups that includes pregnant/lactating mothers, infants, children and old-age people. People are forced to work in quite odd conditions. The administration has taken some measures for strengthening of health delivery system. Medical kits are placed at every work site having ORS packets, Chlorine tablets, folic acids etc. to provide first aid facilities to workers as and when required. Local medical staff has been instructed to visit the respective work sites/village time to time. Malnutrition in children also observed in some severely affected areas. Mid day meal is being given in form of Ghughari to schoolchildren to supplement the nutritional requirement.

C. Food security and employment

Since this is the 5th consecutive year of drought, the state government is under obligation to provide maximum employment to the most vulnerable section of societies namely agriculture labourers, small/marginal farmers and marginal workers. GOR is generating employment opportunities for the people in the state through drought relief as well as other departmental works. The total relief work started (no. of work-sites) are 79746 out of the total sanctioned 133685. The average daily wage per labor is Rs. 52.80. Apart from this 246091 MT of wheat has been distributed out of the total allocation of 700000 MT. Many food-security schemes have been announced by the govt. for different target groups. GOR has decided to extend the ongoing relief works to another 200000 people in the affected areas which would take the tally of those benefiting from drought relief works to 1.65 million. Out of this, 1.05 million would be employed under drought relief works, 0.16 million workers in Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojna (SGRY), and the rest in other schemes.

In another important decision, GOR has decided to include poor people belonging to general category in drought relief works. Under the amended norms, first preference (75% of total labor) would be given to the people living under poverty line, the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe followed by other backward castes. The remaining 25% labor would be from the poor people belonging to general category. In addition to this, it has been decided to provide aid-on-request to old, pregnant and destitute women till July ‘03. To facilitate this aid, the funds sanctioned to district administration have been increased from Rs.200000 to Rs.350000. Under the proposed programme, each beneficiary would be provided with 50 Kg. of wheat and Rs.30.

The state govt. has decided to partly cover certain categories of private constructions under drought relief works. Govt. would pay 75% of the labor wages in the construction of a house by an individual. This would be in the form of wheat, while the individual have to pay the remaining 25% in cash. It would, however be applicable in cases of such individuals whose earnings are not beyond Rs.4000 per month and total cost of construction of the house does not exceed Rs.50000. The individual would have to bear the cost of material. To tap private resources in combating drought, the govt. has decided to extend the same facilities to NGOs and private donors involved in community works like building tanks, wells, ponds or other structures. In another important decision by GoR, Irrigated areas are also exempted from the revenue.

Sources of information:

Dept. of Relief, GoR
Dept of Agriculture, GoR
Public Health Engineering Department, Rajasthan
Website of GoR/ Relief department
Newspaper cuttings (Rajasthan Patrika, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Times of India, Jaipur)

Compiled by National UN Volunteers based in Rajasthan