Barmer, Oct. 1 -- Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday announced a series of drought-relief measures for Barmer and Jaisalmer, including extending drinking water supply through tankers until December 31, sanctioning Rs.1 crore each for the two districts and opening fodder depots for livestock affected by the deficient monsoon. Sharma made the announcements while addressing a public gathering at Bachhdau in Barmer district, where he also hit out at the previous Congress government, alleging that it had left the state in a "very poor state". He claimed that Rajasthan had since transformed from a state dependent on electricity to one capable of supplying power to others. Under the drought-relief measures, tanker-based water supply in Barmer and Jaisalmer will continue until December 31. The chief minister also authorised the collectors of both districts to approve Rs.1 crore each for drought-relief measures.The government will also open fodder depots to ensure availability of fodder for livestock in the drought-affected areas, he said. The announcements are significant for the arid Barmer-Jaisalmer region, where drinking water availability and fodder supply remain key concerns during periods of inadequate rainfall. Sharma paid tribute to the people of the "land of heroes" and said the government was working to strengthen basic infrastructure in rural Rajasthan. He said the government's effort was to ensure that every village has a pucca road. On recruitment examinations, Sharma alleged that young people had faced difficulties during the previous government because of repeated paper leaks. He also asked the gathering whether paper leaks were taking place now. Sharma said his government was working for people across the state and continuing to focus on rural development. He said every panchayat would have a playground and announced plans to establish Atal Gyan Kendras in villages across Rajasthan. During the programme, Sharma also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 1,013 development works worth Rs.2,824 crore. The chief minister arrived at around 2 pm in Barmer district's Bachhdau. Minister KK Vishnoi and MLA Aduram Meghwal received him at the helipad. Barmer MLA Priyanka Chaudhary, Siwana MLA Hamir Singh, Jaisalmer MLA Chhotu Singh, Pokaran MLA Mahant Pratap Puri and Rajasthan Farmers Commission chairman CR Chaudhary were also present. The chief minister's visit to Barmer comes ahead of the Panchayati Raj elections and included a large gathering of party workers and local residents. He was welcomed at the venue with a traditional Gair dance performance. Meanwhile, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the 33% rainfall deficit recorded in Jodhpur so far was a matter of serious concern and posed a major challenge for the region. He urged the state government to immediately provide maximum relief and employment to workers under the VB-G RAM G scheme and prepare a contingency plan to ensure drinking water for people and adequate fodder and water for livestock in Jodhpur and all drought-affected areas, including villages and hamlets. Gehlot warned that prolonged rainfall deficiency and drought could lead to inflation, hoarding and migration, with poor workers, farmers and livestock rearers likely to be the worst affected. He said the government should take preventive measures now so that people receive timely relief, and alleged that despite the seriousness of the situation, the BJP government had yet to begin preparations to deal with a possible drought....