by Alok Mohit
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday took stock of the situation caused by scanty rainfall in Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Jamui and Lakhisarai districts.
The chief minister inquired from farmers about the poor coverage of paddy plantation due to less rainfall in Nagarnausa, Chandi, Madhopur, Bind blocks of Nalanda district, Sikandra, Aliganj, Halsi in Jamui district and Ghongsa in Lakhisarai district.
Kumar directed his principal secretary Deepak Kumar, secretary (agriculture), N Sarvana Kumar, secretary (disaster management and water resources) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, officer on special duty Gopal Singhas well as district magistrates and superintendents of police concerned to maintain a constant vigil on the situation caused by less rainfall. He also asked officials to expedite the work of providing diesel subsidy to farmers under the diesel subsidy scheme. The chief minister also asked officials to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity to farmers for at least 16 hours a day.
The uninterrupted availability of electricity would provide convenience to farmers in irrigation works and the paddy plantation could be saved, he said.
