Jaisalmer Barmer drought relief measures have been extended until December 31, with Rajasthan continuing emergency tanker-based drinking-water supply and opening fodder depots in the two drought-affected border districts. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced the measures at a public meeting in Bachhdau, Barmer, on Wednesday.
The extension covers emergency drinking-water arrangements that had been introduced during the summer. The state government said tanker supplies would continue in affected areas of Jaisalmer and Barmer until the end of December in response to deficient rainfall and the resulting difficulties faced by farmers, livestock owners and residents.
Sharma also authorised the collectors of Barmer and Jaisalmer to approve drought-relief and other necessary contingency works costing up to Rs 1 crore. The move is intended to allow district administrations to take up essential works in areas that have received inadequate rainfall without waiting for separate approval for every project.
The chief minister further announced the opening of fodder depots in Barmer, Balotra and Jaisalmer, along with other areas facing fodder shortages. The depots are aimed at addressing the immediate needs of livestock owners during the continuing drought-relief period.
The measures link three immediate administrative responses: water delivery through tankers, local approval of contingency works and the supply of fodder. While tanker operations address drinking-water access, the fodder depots respond to pressure on livestock-dependent households. The state’s announcement did not specify the number of tankers, the locations of all depots, the quantity of fodder to be supplied or the number of residents and livestock covered.
The extension also places greater responsibility on the two district collectors. Their authority to approve works up to Rs 1 crore is intended to accelerate local responses in areas where rainfall has remained inadequate. The announcement did not provide a list of the works to be taken up, their funding source or a separate implementation schedule.
For residents in the affected areas, the continuation of tanker supply means that emergency drinking-water arrangements will remain in place beyond the summer period. Farmers and livestock owners will also depend on the new fodder depots as the administration responds to the reported shortage. The government’s current timeline keeps these relief measures in operation through December 31.
The Rajasthan government has not announced whether the measures will be extended beyond that date. For now, district administrations in Barmer and Jaisalmer are expected to continue tanker-water operations, establish fodder depots and accelerate essential contingency works under the authority announced by the chief minister.
