Sunil Lohan
*Dr.G.Parameshwara Directs Officials to Manage the Situation Without Causing Hardship to People and Livestock”.
Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Dr.G. Parameshwara said that the natural disaster situation arising from the impact of Super El Niño must be managed effectively.
He directed officials to ensure that the situation is handled in a manner that does not adversely affect the livelihoods of people or livestock in the Kalyana Karnataka region.
Today,he chaired a progress review meeting at the Kalaburagi University Auditorium,covering various departments under the Kalaburagi Revenue Division as well as natural disaster management,and issued strict instructions and necessary directions to officials.
In view of the possibility of drought, migration from the Kalyana Karnataka region to metropolitan cities in search of employment has increased.
The MGNREGA scheme has also undergone changes. Officials must make use of available funds and schemes to provide employment to people in their own villages. This must be taken seriously,he said.
He directed officials to ensure that, in the event of drought, there is no shortage of basic necessities such as drinking water,food,employment for livelihood, healthcare,and fodder for livestock.
Over the past four to five days,the coastal and Malnad regions have received good rainfall.As a result,some water has begun flowing into the rivers,which is an encouraging development.
However,the situation in the districts of the dryland region has not improved.Therefore,the circumstances arising from the rainfall deficit must be addressed effectively,he said.
Experts have warned that the impact of Super El Niño could lead to drought,unseasonal rainfall,landslides and similar problems in several parts of the world,including India.
Similar weather patterns are already being observed. Precautionary measures must therefore be taken in this regard as well,he said.
If rainfall does not improve in the coming days, the situation could worsen further.Its impact is already being felt here,and preparations must be made to face it,he added.
There is a rainfall deficit in 26 taluks of the Kalaburagi Revenue Division, while 11 taluks have received extremely low rainfall.
Overall, 37 taluks have been affected by the rainfall deficit.So far,sowing has been completed in only 38% of the area.
During the corresponding period last year, 19.41 lakh hectares had been sown, whereas this year,sowing has been completed in only 11.76 lakh hectares.
He directed officials to give serious consideration to the issue and formulate an appropriate action plan.
If there is sudden rainfall,demand for seeds and fertilisers may rise sharply.Officials must ensure that adequate stocks of seeds and fertilisers are available to meet such demand and make the necessary preparations to manage the situation.
He directed the Deputy Commissioners and Agriculture Department officials to give the matter urgent attention.
“You have informed us that the Revenue Division has enough fodder to last for 47 weeks.Senior officials must personally verify and confirm this.In Bhalki,Humnabad, Chitguppa,Hulsoor,Yadgir and Gurmitkal taluks,fodder stocks are sufficient for only 20 to 24 weeks.
Wherever feasible, immediate steps must be taken to establish fodder banks and cattle shelters,”he instructed.
He said that rainfall monitoring stations must be kept fully functional.In view of the rainfall deficit,farmers should be encouraged to cultivate crops that require less water and can be grown at minimal cost.The Agriculture Department must create the necessary awareness among the farming community,he said.
One senior KAS officer has been appointed as the taluk in-charge officer for each taluk in the state.Their services must be effectively utilised for drought management.The Chief Secretary should give due attention to this matter,he said.
