Jairam Mahto Seeks Comprehensive Plan to Tackle Weak Monsoon

Ranchi: Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) chief and legislator Jairam Mahto has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, expressing concern over the weak monsoon in the state and urging the government to adopt a comprehensive strategy to safeguard agriculture, water resources and rural livelihoods.
In his letter, Mahto said the deficient rainfall this year is likely to have a direct impact on farming, irrigation, drinking water sources and the rural economy. He urged the state government to move beyond short-term relief measures and formulate a long-term action plan centred on agriculture, irrigation, water conservation and employment generation.
Highlighting the state's dependence on rainfall, Mahto noted that agriculture in Jharkhand is largely rain-fed, while more than half of the state's cultivable land still lacks irrigation facilities. He pointed out that this year's June was the fifth driest in India in the last 100 years, warning that lower rainfall could significantly affect agricultural production and lead to unemployment and livelihood distress in rural areas.
He said the uncertainty in the monsoon has already begun affecting the sowing of kharif crops. With little improvement in farmers' incomes and rural wages, the state's rural economy could face severe hardship. He urged the government to ensure food security for poor families and create additional employment opportunities in rural areas beyond agriculture.
Mahto also warned that prolonged drought-like conditions could trigger large-scale migration from rural areas. To address the issue, he called for the immediate establishment of a Migrant Workers Commission.
The legislator further urged the government to consider increasing the number of workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and doubling wages to provide relief to rural workers. He also sought speedy action in the pending High Court matter related to ensuring 75 per cent employment for local people in private agricultural activities.
Describing the emerging drought situation as a serious challenge, Mahto said the government should adopt a long-term development strategy focused on agricultural resilience, expansion of irrigation facilities, water conservation and sustainable rural employment to protect farmers and vulnerable rural households from the adverse effects of a weak monsoon.