Bantwal: A special meeting was held with the farmers by the District-in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai on April 27 in Bantwal following water crisis in Mangaluru city.
During the meeting, Rai urged the farmers residing at the river-side not to use water for agriculture.

District Commissioner A B Ibrahim on the occasion said that, the supply of water has been stopped to all the construction companies from Tuesday. As there is water shortage, farmers must not use the river water for agriculture, instead co-operate to increase the water level at the Thumbe dam.

In the meeting, it was decided that there will be power cuts only twice a week in the power supply to agriculturists (Wednesday, Saturday) which in turn will be used to supply water to Mangaluru City Corparation for five days.

Minister Ramanath Rai assured to be with the farmers and also urged them to co-operate until the water problem is solved with the arrival of rain.

MCC Mayor Harinath, said that Mangaluru city is reeling under drinking water crisis. Farmers will have to co-operate as there will be power cut for two days, to supply water to the city for five days. If a new dam comes up, ground water level will increase and a tender has been finalised for the survey in this regard.

In the meeting, District panchayath member Chandraprakash Shetty hit out at the MCC officials and alleged that those officials who convened a meeting following the new Thumbe vented dam construction, have not taken any action till now.

There was also a demand to supply water to Kallige and Thumbe village from the vented dam. Responding to the demand, Rai said that after 2 MGD unit will be handed over to the district panchayath, the problems of these villages will be solved. ZP CEO Shri Vidya has taken special responsibility in this regard.