The State is going to approach the Centre with the demand for a financial package and other assistance to deal with drought-like conditions, following the failure of monsoon this year.
The Cabinet meet held on Wednesday took up the matter as an out-of-the-agenda item, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. It was decided not to wait for the impact of the drought for seeking assistance from the Centre. Chandy said that the Revenue Minister has been entrusted with the job of asking department officials to frame a draft memorandum. Ways to control consumption of electricity in the state will be taken up in big way in addition to augmenting power generation through tapping alternative sources of energy like mini-hydel, wind and solar power. The Electricity Minister will look into the proposals.
The Water Resources Minister will lead a team to assess the likelihood of drinking water shortage in the coming months, the chief minister said. The memorandum will highlight various needs of the state in the backdrop of a drought-like situation. ”The focus will be on drinking water and power shortage apart from the heavy loss expected in the agriculture sector,“ Chandy said. Chandy also said that a special cabinet session will be held on Thursday morning.
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