Moving a short notice question, Congress member from Abdasa in Kutch, Ibrahimbhai Mandhra, said people in the district did not take up farming activity this year due to lack of rainfall and added that the Government should immediately provide fodder for cattle and employment to the drought affected people in the district.

Congress members, agitated over the reply of Revenue Minister Vajubhai Vala that relief works would be carried out after assessment of the situation on the basis of annavari (extent of drought) due to the failure of monsoon, demanded that the Government start relief works without waiting for the assessment. Leader of the Opposition Amarsinh Chaudhary also joined Mandhra in raising the issue.

However, theMinister said reports on rainfall from all the talukas of Kutch have been called from the collector and after their examination the Government would take a decision on the relief measures.