In Gujarat, a Central team headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar held a meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, his senior Cabinet colleagues and other top officials of the state today. The team along with Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh is in Gujarat to review the possible drought situation following deficient rainfall in the four states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

After reaching Ahmedabad on Thursday, Pawar told media persons the Central team would take stock of the situation in connection with availability of drinking water, fodder and employment. He said the issue would be discussed in the meeting of Empowered Group of Ministers for drought in New Delhi to release the Central assistance to the drought-affected states.

AIR Ahmedabad correspondent reports that the Gujarat Government has announced to provide one lakh electricity connections to the farmers with the provision of Rs 1,500 crore. The State Cabinet took the decision on the day the Central team was scheduled to visit Gujarat.