Bengaluru: The State Cabinet that met here on Tuesday took stock of the drinking water situation across the State and decided to tackle water shortage with immediate measures.

Sources in the government said seven to eight Ministers raised the issue faced by some taluks and demanded immediate release of funds to address the issue.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the Ministers to utilise funds available with the Deputy Commissioners to tackle drinking water problems in their respective districts.

Since mitigating drinking water shortage would not come under the poll code, it was decided to issue instructions to the Deputy Commissioners to utilise funds for sinking borewells, supply of water through tankers, and repairing hand pumps to ensure drinking water to the people.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah is to attend a meeting of all Congress District Committee presidents and district in-charge Ministers to discuss the issue.

Following the enforcement of election code of conduct, the Cabinet, in its last meeting, has not cleared any file or project, official sources said.

However, the Cabinet, which met for nearly 90 minutes discussed various issues related to elections, its poll strategy, responsibilities of Ministers and the method of the party’s campaign, sources said.

In view of the elections, the government has written to the Centre seeking extension of tenure of Chief Secretary Ratna Prabha for four months.

Prabha’s term would end on March 31. However, the Centre has not responded to the government, sources said.