Rajasthan government declares 26 districts as scarcity-hit

Rajasthan government has declared 26 out of the 33 districts of the state as scarcity-hit following insufficient rains and failure of kharif crop.

The state government, after considering crop assessment report of collectors of 33 districts, issued a notification to this effect, an official spokesman said on Tuesday night.

State calamity management authority, headed by chief minister Ashok Gehlot, will hold a special meeting on Wednesday to finalise a memorandum that will be submitted to the Central government seeking financial assistance to meet the exigency.

Based on the crop assessment, the collectors found that more than 50% of the kharif crop wilted due to insufficient monsoon rains.

The state government also announced relief work till 15 July, 2010. Among the districts facing scarcity are Pali, Jodhpur and Jaipur.