The West Bengal Government has taken up special measures to tackle drought in the state. Talking to news persons, the state Water Resources Minister Mr. Soumen Mahapatra said that the state Government has aimed at digging up 50 thousand new ponds in the state.Out of these, 15 thousand new ponds will be dug up this year. He said, the Panchayat Department has already started identifying areas to dug these ponds.Mr. Mahapatra said, that his department has already brought to the notice of District Magistrates of some districts, about the project.He also said that 24 crore rupees have been allocated in Jangalmahal to tackle the drought situation there.