<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Continuous action is being taken to control locust swarms as per the instructions of Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. According to a release, control operations have been done in 1 lakh 51 thousand 269 hectares area in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana by Locust Circle Offices (LCOs) starting from 11th April till 9th July, 2020.</span></p> <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Control operations have also been done in 1,32,660 hectares area in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Bihar by state Governments till 9th July.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In the intervening night of 9th and 10th July, control operations were carried out at 16 places in 8 districts. These include Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and Karauli of Rajasthan.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">At present, 60 control teams with spray vehicles are deputed in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. More than 200 Central Government personnel are engaged in locust control operations. In addition, 20 spray equipments have now been received.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">To strengthen the control capacity, supply order was issued for procurement of 55 additional vehicles. Further, 5 companies with 15 drones are deployed at Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Nagaur and Phalodi in Rajasthan for effective control of locusts on tall trees and in inaccessible areas by spraying pesticides. Aerial spraying capacity has been strengthened for anti-locust operations. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />''