Rains bring relief for the BJP government in poll-bound Chhattisgarh

Incessant rainfall for the last one week has brought a big relief for the BJP government in Chhattisgarh as the poll-bound state escaped from slipping into drought for the second consecutive year.

The government heaves a sigh of relief with recent rains as the state goes to the polls later in the year and retaining power for the fourth consecutive term has been a daunting task for the ruling party.

In the last kharif season, a severe drought hit Chhattisgarh that had been among first five states contributing rice to the central pool.

“The state received 367 millimeter of rainfall (against average of 1185 mm) that has turned the table,” agriculture deputy director R K Chandravanshi said.

The paddy transplantation work has suddenly gained momentum in last one week and they are hopeful for a good crop in the current kharif season when initial reports suggested otherwise, he added.
The government was in a fix as another drought, that too in the election year, would have been a big challenge. Besides, compensating the farmers for the loss, starting relief works in the affected areas were not an easy task to deal with.