Rajasthan must ready contingency plan for impending water crisis: Gehlot

Ashok Gehlot, the former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, has cautioned state authorities to develop contingency measures to address what he describes as an emerging drought-like crisis. In his statement, Gehlot highlighted three critical areas that could face severe disruption in the coming months: access to drinking water, availability of animal fodder for livestock, and employment opportunities in rural areas.

The Congress leader has emphasized that the state administration must act proactively rather than reactively to mitigate potential hardships facing citizens and farmers. His warning comes as Rajasthan, traditionally vulnerable to water scarcity, faces fresh challenges with erratic monsoon patterns and diminishing groundwater resources.

Gehlot has also renewed his demand for a comprehensive waiver of farm loans, arguing that such relief measures are essential to prevent agricultural distress and protect the livelihoods of farming communities. He contends that without immediate policy intervention, rural areas could face a compounded crisis affecting both agricultural productivity and overall economic stability.

The former chief minister's remarks underscore growing concerns about resource management and agrarian welfare in the state, particularly as climate variability continues to pose unpredictable challenges to Rajasthan's water and agricultural sectors.