Bhopal, Feb 22: A Central team reviewed drought situation and relief works in Shivpuri district. The team inspected the work of a Khanti construction at village Gudha, talked to the labourers and apprised themselves about the wages being paid to them. The team visited village Manikhera and inspected the work of deepening of water reservoir at a cost of Rs 2.20 lakh. In all, 174 labourers are working there. The team inspected the work of water reservoir construction in village Tehe in Shivpuri tehsil. The water reservoir there is being deepened at a cost of Rs 4.96 lakh. In village Gudha and Manikhera in Kolaras tehsil, works of deepening of water reservoir, construction of pavement and drains are going on which are generating employment to villagers.

The team comprising Deputy Secretary Food and Civil Supplies Ministry SK Kodone, Deputy Technical Advisor Human Resources Ministry Mohammad Naoman, Deputy Advisor Agriculture Ministry Dr CS Sahukar and Additional Secretary Rural Development Ministry Vinod Kumar gathered information from district collector Manish Shrivastava, chief executive officer of District Panchayat RK Mishra, other officers, office-bearers of Panchayats, villages and labourers engaged in the relief works.

The team was told that 532.8 cm rainfall has been registered in Shivpuri district during 2007-08. Ground water table in the district is constantly depleting in the district. Maximum depletion is 35 metre, which is at present. During the current financial year Kharif crops were sown in 249976 acres of land. Similarly, Rabi crops were sown in 142786 acre, which is 54.13 per cent in comparison to normal. As many as 51 works are continuing under drought relief programme. Rs 149.95 lakh would be spent on these works.

In the month of April drinking water would be supplied to 164 villages through transportation. A Rs 1084.92 lakh plan for drought relief has been prepared and forwarded to the state government. Under this plan relief works would be undertaken, arrangement of fodder would be made and veterinary camps would be organised.