Jaipur, Oct. 9 -- Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday raised concerns over the worsening drought-like situation in western Rajasthan and urged the Bhajan Lal Sharma government to immediately declare a drought and begin relief measures instead of making announcements. Gehlot said cattle in Barmer and Jaisalmer were struggling for food and water, while the government's relief measures had yet to reach the affected areas. He pointed out that Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had announced the opening of fodder depots in Barmer on September 30, but eight days later, neither fodder depots nor cattle camps had started in the affected areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer. "Administration is citing the model code of conduct. The question is why the government did not make the necessary preparations before the code came into force when the drought situation was already evident," Gehlot said, asking whether permission had been sought from the State Election Commission to undertake relief work. Gehlot expressed concern over reports of cattle deaths in the Gadra Road area, saying villagers had reported deaths of cows in more than 20 villages. He claimed the situation had become so severe that cattle in some areas were being forced to eat plastic and garbage. He also said villagers in border areas had reported that fodder prices had risen up to threefold, along with complaints of hoarding. Gehlot highlighted the gap between government assistance and the cost of maintaining cattle in gaushalas. The government provides Rs.50 per large animal per day, while gaushala operators claim that the actual cost is between Rs.100 and Rs.150 per animal per day. He also cited government figures showing that bills amounting to around Rs.383 crore for gaushala grants were pending for payment as of September 9. Gehlot said the seriousness of the situation could be gauged from the fact that even a BJP MLA from Jaisalmer had demanded that the government declare a drought. He urged the state government to immediately declare the affected areas drought-hit, open fodder depots and cattle camps and arrange water tankers in villages facing shortages. "Those who have done politics in the name of cows must now answer for the ground situation. How long will cattle continue to suffer for fodder and water?" Gehlot said. BJP state secretary Ekta Agarwal said Gehlot is politicising the issue. "The state government was closely monitoring fodder and water availability and taking measures according to ground conditions." Relief operations involved established administrative procedures and could not be reduced to political announcements. She also urged the Congress to avoid creating panic among villagers and instead cooperate with the administration. The government remained committed to ensuring fodder and drinking water in affected areas....