45% Blocks in CG Drought Hit

Owing to a deficient monsoon, Chhattisgarh on Friday declared 66 blocks in 12 districts as drought-hit, the state has a total of 146 blocks.

Instructing panchayats and the state rural development department to step up relief measures in the affected areas, Chief Minister Raman Singh has asked them to create more jobs under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

With the drought epicentered in the state’s paddy cultivation areas, the state is unlikely to meet its 6.55 million tonne production target this year.