Assess the damage caused to crops due to drought: Deputy Commissioner

Dharamshala, 17 February (Hindustan Reporter). Deputy Commissioner Hem Raj Bairwa said that instructions have been given to assess the damage caused to crops due to less rainfall in Kangra district and to take appropriate steps to provide compensation as per the rules to the farmers registered under the crop insurance scheme.

While presiding over the review meeting organized on Saturday in the auditorium of DC office in Dharamshala regarding preparations to deal with drought, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said that this time there has been relatively less rainfall in the months of January and February and in such a situation there is a possibility of drinking water crisis at some level. To ensure that people do not have to go through this, the Jal Shakti Department should work with promptness and also prepare necessary plans to ensure smooth drinking water supply so that people do not have to face problems at any level. Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said that necessary steps should be taken to ensure proper maintenance of wells prepared for irrigation so that water can be available to farmers for irrigation.

Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said that in future, special emphasis will be given to develop rain water harvesting structures so that the situation of drought etc. can be dealt with. In this regard, Jal Shakti, Agriculture and Horticulture Department and Rural Development Department should prepare an action plan with mutual coordination so that better irrigation arrangements can be made.

Deputy Commissioner Hem Raj Bairwa has also instructed the Health Department to keep adequate stock of medicines and the Food Supply Department to take appropriate steps for storing food items so that people do not face any kind of inconvenience at any level. He said that due to less rainfall, there is a possibility of fire in the forests and the fire department should work with full alertness.