Ministries chalk out contingency plans

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with secretaries to assess their preparedness in view of the India-Pakistan conflict, several government departments gathered to prepare plans to deal with the crisis.

- SANJEEB MUKHERJEE, SHREYA JAI & HARSH KUMAR

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed officials to be prepared to assist farmers in bordering states with sowing operations and ensure they did not face difficulties.

During a review meeting at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, Chouhan said he would speak with the chief ministers of bordering states like Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab regarding their requirements in case the villages needed evacuation. The government will address farmers' needs if sowing is delayed, he said.

The minister was also informed about the status of crop sowing, food grain production, and fruit and vegetable availability.