Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday, 8 October 2026, raised an urgent alarm over a worsening drought in western Rajasthan, demanding that Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma formally declare drought-hit areas and launch immediate relief operations. Gehlot warned that livestock were dying of hunger and thirst while the state government had, in his words, limited itself to 'hollow announcements' without tangible ground-level action.

Fodder Depots Still Unopened Eight Days After Announcement

Gehlot pointed out that despite Chief Minister Sharma announcing the opening of fodder depots in Barmer on 30 September, neither fodder depots had been set up nor animal camps started — even eight days later — in the affected areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer. He cited local administration in Gadra Road, which had reportedly informed media that proposals to launch fodder camps across 23 patwar circles had been submitted but were still awaiting approval.

The state administration has reportedly cited the Model Code of Conduct as the reason for the delay. Gehlot questioned why the government had not made necessary preparations before the code came into force, given that the drought situation was already apparent well in advance.

Cattle Deaths, Plastic Consumption Reported in Over 20 Villages

Expressing alarm over reports of cattle deaths, the former Chief Minister said that, according to local villagers, livestock fatalities had been reported in more than 20 villages in the Gadra Road area of Barmer. He added that the situation had, according to reports, deteriorated to the point where cattle in some areas were being forced to consume plastic and garbage due to the acute fodder shortage.

In border villages, fodder prices had reportedly risen up to three times their normal levels, with allegations of hoarding also surfacing, according to Gehlot.

Gaushala Funds Inadequate, ₹383 Crore in Grant Bills Pending

Gehlot alleged that the government was providing only ₹50 per day per large animal to gaushalas, while gaushala operators claimed the actual daily expenditure ranged between ₹100 and ₹150 per animal. He further cited government figures showing that grant bills worth approximately ₹383 crore remained pending as of 9 September.

Notably, Gehlot also pointed out that even a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly from Jaisalmer had demanded an immediate drought declaration — a demand the government had yet to act upon.

Opposition Demands Drought Declaration, Water Tankers, Immediate Relief

This comes amid growing political pressure on the BJP-led Rajasthan government, which has been in power since late 2023. Gehlot urged Chief Minister Sharma to immediately declare the affected areas as drought-hit, operationalise fodder depots and animal camps, and arrange drinking water supply through tankers to impacted villages. He also asked whether the government had sought permission from the State Election Commission to undertake relief work under the Model Code of Conduct — a step that critics argue should have been taken proactively.

Newspapers across Rajasthan are reportedly carrying front-page accounts of the drought's severity, yet effective relief measures remain invisible on the ground, Gehlot said. With winter approaching and fodder prices surging, the pressure on both the state government and rural communities in western Rajasthan is expected to intensify in the weeks ahead.