GANDHINAGAR: Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday called upon for a cabinet meeting on public holiday (Eid-e-Milad) and took decisions regarding relief works in the drought (scarcity) affected areas. Revenue Minister Kaushikbhai Patel gave the details of the decisions made in the Cabinet meeting.Patel said the state government is extremely sensitive in terms with the situation in the drought affected areas. In this context, the state cabinet has made concrete decisions for providing water, livestock production and employment generation under MGNREGA in such areas. An additional seven crore kg of fodder will be arranged for cattle apart from five crore kg that has been made available till date.Patel added that a team led by state minister Vasanbhai Ahir will go to Punjab on Thursday to survey the possibility of using wheat straw as fodder for livestock in affected areas.He further said if the farmers in the areas where water is available come forward to grow fodder, state government will provide power connection in special cases.Rupani has declared 51 talukas of the state as drought affected. Recently a special relief package for 45 talukas has been announced following the low rainfall and crop failure proposals. Now from December 1, the relief works for all the 96 talukas will be started.Patel added that 100 days of employment in a year is given in the days of shortage under MGNREGA, but considering this year's situation employment will be given for 150 days.State government will make an intensive plan to get drinking, irrigation and livestock water available in the coming days. CM Rupani has instructed to take strict legal actions against misuse of water by placing motors or by other means, he added.

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