Pramesh S Jain
*Apprise the Central Team of the Situation Upon Arrival.
*No Paper-Based Reports Accepted;Conduct Field Work and Submit.
*Rainfall Deficit in 178 Taluks.
*State Reservoirs Holding Only 40% Water Storage.
*Priority on Drinking Water and Fodder for Cattle.
*Less Than 50% Water in 3,235 Small Irrigation Tanks.
*Bogus Borewell Bills Will Not Be Tolerated.
Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar said that he has directed officials to Prepare a proper report on the rainfall deficit and drought situation in the state within the next 15 days to be submitted to the Central Government.
The report must be formulated based on spot inspections and should not be prepared sitting in offices.
He was addressing a press conference on Sunday regarding the decisions made during the meeting with DCs and CEOs,as well as the cabinet meeting held at the Vidhana Soudha concerning the drought situation.
“Accurate information must be provided to the Central Team when they visit the state following our report.I have already written a letter to the Prime Minister regarding sending a Central Team, and I have informed the officials about the same,”he said.
“Today,we discussed the drought situation with various departments.I have instructed everyone to work together as ‘Team Karnataka’.
The state is facing a 60% rainfall deficit.There is a shortage of rain in 178 taluks,with 158 taluks receiving very scanty rainfall.
Twenty taluks have received no rain at all.The situation in Vijayanagara district is severe.All these aspects have been discussed.
As the state’s reservoirs have only 40% water storage,it will be reserved strictly for drinking water purposes,”he explained.
“Committees should hold meetings only if water flows into the dams.The committees must regularly apprise farmers about the water levels.
If farmers sow crops and then demand water release, it will be difficult to comply.Therefore,we appeal to them not to sow crops,” he said.
“Hydroelectric power generation is down to just 23%. Groundwater levels across all taluks have been reviewed.
Water levels in tanks have plummeted.Out of 3,817 small irrigation tanks, 3,235 tanks have less than 50% water. Out of 32,504 Zilla Panchayat tanks, 27,450 tanks have less than 50% water.
A grant of Rs.1 crore each has already been announced for rural assembly constituencies for drinking water.A total of ₹379 crore has been released.
There is no shortage of funds.Instructions have been given to utilize the funds through meetings led by MLAs,” he informed.
“We are protesting that the Central Government has not taken us into confidence regarding the MGNREGA scheme.
Nevertheless,under the VB-G RAM G scheme,the state government has to contribute a 40% grant.The Central Government has indicated which projects can be undertaken,and utmost priority will be given to community and infrastructure development works,”he said.
“Instructions have been issued to ensure that people from no region migrate.Directives have been given for the supply of fodder and fertilizers.
It must be ensured that fake bills are not generated while drilling each borewell.There must be video evidence recorded during the drilling of borewells.
The electricity department has been instructed to prioritize the repair of transformers,”he added.
“I have instructed that officials must remain at their headquarters and personally monitor these works.A separate meeting will be held to review the discrepancies regarding crop insurance,”he stated.
