Modi Sarkar sleeping over drought: Congress

A day after the Supreme Court had asked some tough questions from the central gover nment over the drought situation, the opposition Congress has demanded that the Modi Sarkar should raise from ‘’its slumber and fulfil its duty’’ to the suffering people.

At a media briefing, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that as a first step the prime minister must call a meeting of the chief ministers all the states affected by drought and release enhanced central assistance immediately. “Nearly half the country with people in 300,000 villages spread over 300 dis- tricts and 13 states are reeling an acute water shortage and need assistance in employment, foodgrains and mid-day meal schemes,” he added. Surje- wala’s criticism came on the heels of the Supreme Court’s observation that it was the responsibility of the gover nment to infor m and war n that these (drought-affected) states will receive less rainfall.”

It had also admonished Gujarat for submitting a note instead of an affidavit on the drought situation. “Why have you not filed af- fidavit? Don’t take things so lightly, just because you’re Gujarat doesn’t mean you can do whatever you like, If you are told that 96 per cent crop is sown in a particular area of the state but you receive infor mation of scanty rainfall, don’t just tell them that everything is right and think there is possibility of Centre telling states about a possible drought,” the judges had said.

Pointing out that there has been prolonged delays in the payment of wages under the rural employment scheme MGNREGA, Surjewala demanded that adequate funds should be released to the states so that the people seeking employment can be paid on the same day.

The apex court has also asked the Centre to fur nish infor mation on how many households in drought-hit areas got 150 days employment under the job scheme.

“Nearly half the country with people in 300,000 villages spread over 300 districts and 13 states are reeling an acute water shortage and need assistance in employment, foodgrains and mid-day meal schemes,” - RANDEEP SURJEWALA/ Congress spokesperson