Ranchi, Aug. 4: A day after 12 districts of the state were declared drought-hit, Raj Bhavan today swung into action and fixed the priorities to tackle the impending natural calamity.

After a two-hour high-level meeting chaired by governor’s adviser V.S. Dubey, the authorities chalked out a list of measures to be undertaken in near future.

The 12 affected districts are Latehar, Ramgarh, Chatra, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Khunti, East Singhbhum, Jamtara, Palamau, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ranchi and Giridih. Apart from chief secretary A.K. Singh and the governor’s other two advisers, Wilfred Lakra and R.R. Prasad, the secretaries of rural development, agriculture, health, drinking water and sanitation, water resources, food and civil supplies, social welfare, HRD, energy and animal husbandry among others were present at today’s meeting.

The water resources department has been asked to construct five check dams each in 2,500 panchayats falling under the 12 dry districts. Besides, as many as 12,500 tube wells will be dug in the affected panchayats.

There will be no ban on earthwork executed under MGNREGS till September 15. Any kind of earthwork during this period usually remains suspended because of monsoon. The chief secretary has proposed that midday meal be offered to school students even during holidays and Sundays for the next two to three months. State HRD secretary Mridula Sinha has been asked to come with an action plan.

Gratuitous relief at the rate of Rs 400 per month will be offered to every destitute family, which is otherwise not covered under any government welfare scheme like Antyodaya, BPL red cards, old-age pension and widow pension among others. The deputy commissioners of the affected districts have been told to send proposals at the earliest.

The secretaries have also been asked to send a detailed proposal based on need-based assessment within three days so that Rs 390 crore available with the disaster management department under Calamity Relief Fund head can be utilised judiciously.

The agriculture department has been directed to draw up a plan for alternative cropping and to ensure that abundant seeds are available. The crops to be sown include pulses, oil seeds and maize besides some vegetables.