Ashok Gehlot warns of water and fodder crisis in Rajasthan, urges swift action
Synopsis
Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has sounded the alarm on an impending water and fodder crisis, warning that drought-like conditions, crop failures, and rising fodder prices could devastate rural livelihoods — and demanding the government act before the situation becomes irreversible.
Key Takeaways
Ashok Gehlot warned of a looming water and fodder crisis in Rajasthan on Monday, 20 October 2026 .
He demanded formal drought declarations for affected tehsils and villages , the establishment of fodder depots , and opening of livestock relief camps .
Gehlot flagged rising fodder prices and called for subsidies for cattle herders and affected rural families.
He warned that suspension of the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) scheme could worsen rural unemployment.
He also criticised the government over delays in the Ritu Barala case FIR , citing the resulting sit-in protest by Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra .
Gehlot appealed to rural voters to actively participate in the upcoming Panchayat and Zila Parishad elections .
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday warned of a looming water and fodder crisis across Rajasthan, calling on the state government to launch immediate preventive measures and explore emergency procurement of supplies from neighbouring states. Gehlot made the remarks while speaking to reporters at Jodhpur airport before departing for Jaipur.
Key Concerns Raised
Gehlot flagged inadequate water inflows into dams, widespread crop damage, and below-normal fodder production as the principal drivers of the emerging crisis. He warned that the situation posed serious challenges for livestock protection and rural employment, with water-related problems already surfacing in Jodhpur and several other areas of the state experiencing drought-like conditions.
The former chief minister urged the government to prepare a comprehensive action plan to ensure drinking water availability and sufficient fodder stocks before conditions worsen further.
Demands for Drought Declaration and Relief Camps
Gehlot called on the state administration to identify affected tehsils and villages and initiate the formal process of declaring them drought-hit. He demanded the establishment of fodder depots, government arrangements to procure fodder from other states, and the opening of relief camps for livestock.
He also warned that rising fodder prices were adding to the financial burden on cattle herders, and called on the government to consider subsidies and other targeted relief measures for affected families.
Impact on Rural Livelihoods
Gehlot expressed particular concern for poor families without agricultural land who depend on daily-wage labour for their survival. He argued that as agricultural activity declines owing to crop losses, these communities face the most acute financial hardship.
He warned that the suspension of employment opportunities under the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) scheme could compound the distress. 'How will rural labourers secure livelihoods amid crop losses and fewer opportunities for wage employment?' he asked.
Political Remarks and Allegations
Gehlot also raised concerns about the conduct of municipal corporation elections, alleging irregularities in the formation of governing bodies in Jodhpur and Jaipur, and claiming that the outcomes did not reflect the Indian National Congress's (Congress) higher vote share. He appealed to rural voters to actively participate in the upcoming Panchayat and Zila Parishad elections.
The former chief minister also criticised the government over the delay in registering an FIR in the Ritu Barala case, saying prompt police action could have prevented the escalation that led to a sit-in protest by Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra and other party leaders. He questioned the government's functioning and the handling of complaints by the police administration.
What Comes Next
With Rajasthan facing the dual pressure of a potential agrarian crisis and an approaching rural election cycle, the state government's response to Gehlot's demands will be closely watched. Timely drought declarations and the rollout of relief infrastructure could prove critical for millions of rural households heading into the winter months.
Point of View
The agrarian crisis doubles as an opposition wedge. The demands themselves are legitimate: inadequate dam inflows, crop damage, and fodder shortages are recurring Rajasthan vulnerabilities that successive governments have managed reactively rather than proactively. The more pointed signal here is the invocation of the Viksit Bharat employment scheme — framing any suspension of it as Centre-abetted rural abandonment. Whether the ruling government tables a credible relief package or allows the crisis to deepen will shape both rural welfare outcomes and the electoral narrative across the state's vast hinterland.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What water and fodder crisis has Ashok Gehlot warned about in Rajasthan?
Ashok Gehlot has warned of an emerging water and fodder crisis driven by inadequate dam inflows, widespread crop damage, and low fodder production across Rajasthan. He cautioned that conditions could deteriorate further, threatening livestock and rural livelihoods.
What measures has Gehlot demanded from the Rajasthan government?
Gehlot has demanded formal drought declarations for affected tehsils and villages, establishment of fodder depots, procurement of fodder from other states, opening of livestock relief camps, and subsidies for cattle herders. He also called for advance planning on drinking water availability.
Who is most at risk from the crisis Gehlot has described?
Landless rural families who depend on daily-wage agricultural labour are at greatest risk, as crop failures reduce the availability of farm work. Cattle herders are also acutely affected by rising fodder prices.
What is the Viksit Bharat Gramin scheme Gehlot mentioned?
The Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) is a rural employment scheme. Gehlot warned that any suspension of opportunities under it, amid ongoing crop losses, would worsen the financial distress of rural labourers in Rajasthan.
What else did Gehlot raise at the Jodhpur airport press conference?
Beyond the agrarian crisis, Gehlot alleged irregularities in municipal corporation elections in Jodhpur and Jaipur, criticised the government over delays in registering an FIR in the Ritu Barala case, and appealed to voters to participate in upcoming Panchayat and Zila Parishad elections.
