Patna, Aug. 1 -- The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Saturday demanded the Bihar government to declare the state a drought-hit region and extend all relief measures available under drought conditions to affected farmers and the general public.
CPI Bihar State Secretary Ram Naresh Pandey said that the entire state was reeling under severe drought-like conditions, with inadequate rainfall severely disrupting paddy transplantation during the crucial sowing season.
He claimed that paddy nurseries were drying up due to the lack of rain, while farmers were struggling because of irregular electricity supply, dry irrigation canals, shrinking rivers and ponds, and a sharp decline in groundwater levels.
He also warned of an emerging drinking wat...