Drought crisis has arisen in Karnataka. Many reservoirs have dried up due to less rainfall. Meanwhile, State Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar said that he has directed the officials to prepare a detailed report within 15 days on the lack of rain and drought situation in the state. This report will be submitted to the central government. He clearly said that the report should not be made sitting in the office but on the basis of inspection on the spot.
He held a press conference on Sunday. In which he gave information about the decisions taken during the meeting with Zilla Parishad members and Chief Executive Officers and the cabinet meeting held regarding the drought situation in Vidhana Soudha. During this, he said that after the report, when the central team visits the state, they should be given accurate information. He said that he has already written a letter to Prime Minister Modi regarding sending the central team and has also informed the officials about this.
60% rain deficiency in the state
He said, ‘Today we discussed the drought situation with various departments. I have instructed everyone to work together as ‘Team Karnataka’. There is 60% rainfall deficiency in the state. There is rainfall deficiency in 178 taluks, out of which 158 taluks have received very little rainfall. There has been no rain at all in twenty taluks. The situation is serious in Vijayanagar district. All these aspects have been discussed. Since the state’s reservoirs have only 40% water reserves, it will be reserved only for drinking water.
Appeal to farmers not to sow crops
CM said that meetings of committees should be held only when water is coming in the dams. The committees should regularly inform the farmers about the water level. He said that if farmers demand release of water after sowing the crop, it will be difficult to fulfill their demand. He appealed to the farmers not to sow the crop.
Situation of reservoirs and groundwater is worrying
The Chief Minister said that the groundwater level has been reviewed in all the talukas. Hydropower production has declined to only 23%. He said that the water level in the ponds has also fallen rapidly. He said that out of 3817 minor irrigation tanks, 3235 tanks have less than 50% water. Out of 32,504 district panchayat ponds, 27,450 ponds have less than 50% water. He said that a grant of Rs 1 crore each has already been declared for rural assembly constituencies for drinking water. A total of Rs 379 crore has been released. He said that there is no shortage of funds. He said that instructions have been given to utilize the funds by holding a meeting under the leadership of MLAs.
Emphasis on MGNREGA and stopping migration
Shivkumar accused the Central Government of not taking the State Government into confidence in the MGNREGA scheme. He said that we are protesting that the Center did not take us into confidence regarding MGNREGA. Still, under the VB-G RAM G scheme, the state government will have to give 40% grant. He said that among the projects indicated by the Centre, priority will be given to community and infrastructure development works.
He said that instructions have been given to ensure that there is no migration from any area. Orders have also been issued for supply of fodder and fertilizer. To avoid fake bills while digging borewells, video recording has been made mandatory. Along with this, the electricity department has been asked to give priority to the repair of transformers.
Officers ordered to stay at headquarters
The Chief Minister further said, ‘I have instructed the officers to remain in their headquarters and personally monitor these works. A separate meeting will be organized to review the deficiencies related to crop insurance.
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