Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday directed the government officials to take up drought relief measures to mitigate the shortage of drinking water and fodder in drought-affected taluks in the state. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also made it clear that officials would be held responsible if they fail in implementing drought relief measures in the drought-affected areas in the state.
Addressing a two-day convention of Deputy Commissioners and Taluk Panchayat Chief Executive Officers at Vidhana Soudha, the chief minister said 139 taluks are reeling under severe drought conditions due to the failure of monsoon during the khariff season and the number of drought-affected taluks is expected to go up to 160 due to the failure of monsoon in rabi season. “The district administration has to take up drought relief works on a priority basis. The officials should take measures to ensure supply of drinking water and fodder in the drought-affected areas,’’ the chief minister said.
Rs 25,000 crore loss
The chief minister said the state has been reeling under drought conditions for the last six years but the drought condition is severe during last year and this year. “Farmers have incurred a huge loss due to the crop loss in drought-hit areas. The total loss is estimated to be Rs 25,000 crore in drought-hit areas. Water level in most of the reservoirs, except Alamatti, Ghataprabha and Narayanapura reservoirs, has reached the dead storage. There is an acute shortage for drinking water in drought-affected areas,’’ the chief minister said.
The chief minister said the state government has released an input subsidy of Rs 1540 crore to 32.99 lakh farmers during the kharif season and Rs 606.97 crore to 14.63 lakh farmers during rabi season. “The state government has submitted a memorandum to the Central Government seeking Rs 4,702 crore drought relief but the Central Government has announced allocating Rs 1,782.44 crore towards drought relief works but the state government has not received any money from the Central Government. However, Opposition parties, who are silent over the Central Government’s failure in releasing the funds, have been making allegations against the state government for its alleged failure in utilizing the drought-relief funds allocated during the last year. Why are government officials quiet when Opposition parties are making allegations?’’ the chief minister asked.
Be prepared
The chief minister directed the Deputy Commissioners and Taluk Panchayat Chief Executive Officers to make arrangements to deposit money in bank accounts of farmers as soon as the Central Government releases drought relief fund. He has also directed the district and taluk administration to give importance to remove silt from water bodies and ensure sufficient supply of drinking water. “I want the officials to use earth moving machines (JCBs) to remove the silt from water bodies,” he said.
No fodder to other states
The chief minister has advised the deputy commissioners to take measures to prevent the transportation of fodder from Karnataka to neighbouring states to avoid shortage of fodder to the cattle in drought-affected areas. “As of now, there is fodder for the next three weeks. I want the officials to take measures to prevent transportation of fodder to other states. The district officials have to prepare the report on number of cattle, supply of fodder and the demand for the fodder. The officials have to encourage farmers to grow fodder. The state government has released Rs 60 lakh to each Assembly constituency in drought-hit areas and Rs 40 lakh for each Assembly constituency in other parts of the state.
Govt to have control over private tube wells
The chief minister advised the district and taluk officials to take over private bore wells in drought-hit areas to supply drinking water. The chief minister has also directed the district and taluk officials to restrict farmers using borewell water for irrigation purpose. “I want the deputy commissioners to use their power effectively in implementing drought relief measures in drought-affected areas,’’ he said.
