Raipur: Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has directed to continue employment-oriented work for the needy in villages in view of lackluster monsoon in the state in the current rainy season. He has asked all the Collectors and Chief Executive Officers of Zila Panchayats to continue the employment-oriented work under MNREGA and also to sanction new works as per requirement, so that people in need can be provided employment in the villages.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh has recorded an average rainfall of 113.5 mm till June 27 this year, which is almost 50 per cent less than the average rainfall of 229.7 mm in the same period last year. About seven districts of the state have recorded 40 per cent less rainfall so far this year.
Many districts of the state has been worst-hit by deficient monsoon. Balrampur district recorded a 60 per cent rainfall deficiency while Durg has recorded 48 per cent rainfall deficiency, Jashpur 72 per cent, Kondagaon and Kanker 47 per cent each, Surguja district 63 per cent and the state capital Raipur recorded 56 per cent less rainfall so far this year. Low rainfall has affected the rain-fed agriculture in these districts with less sowing of Kharif crops as compared to last year. As on June 27 last year, the sowing area of Kharif crops was 4 lakh 76 thousand hectares in the state. Whereas, the sowing area of Kharif crops is just 2 lakh 27 thousand hectares so far due to low rainfall.
Due to the deficient monsoon, agriculture work has been affected and instructions have been given to continue the works of MNREGA in a bid to provide employment to the needy people in the villages.
