The Centre has urged drought-hit state governments to periodically review water shortage and prepare action plans on weekly basis. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi yesterday, Agriculture Minster Radha Mohan Singh said, the state plans should specifically aim to tide over challenges like shortage or scarcity of drinking water, construction of farm ponds, adoption of micro irrigation projects and diversification to crops using less water. <br/><br/>He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reviewed the drought and water scarcity situations with the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh. Mr Singh said, both short- and long-term steps will be taken by the Centre and the states to tackle water scarcity and local self-government bodies will be involved.

The Centre today urged drought-hit state governments to periodically review water shortage and prepare action plans on weekly basis. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Radha Mohan Singh said, the state plans should specifically aim to tide over challenges like shortage or scarcity of drinking water, construction of farm ponds, adoption of micro irrigation projects and diversification to crops using less water. <br/><br/>He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reviewed the drought and water scarcity situations with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh. <br/><br/>He said, the states should use innovation and technologies to address the challenge of water conservation and water security and also promote water conservation and storage practices and rejuvenate overground water bodies. Mr Singh said, both short- and long-term steps will be taken by the Centre and the states to tackle water scarcity and local self-government bodies will be involved.