Vinod M Jain
*Drill Borewells Wherever Necessary and Provide Electricity Connections Immediately.
*Take Steps to Distribute Pending Title Deeds.
*Any Failure That Causes Hardship to the People Will Not Be Tolerated.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr.G.Parameshwara briefed officials on the prevailing situation, stating that Karnataka was facing drought conditions not witnessed in nearly 150 years.
“A grim situation is unfolding before us.Natural conditions have developed in a manner that threatens the availability of drinking water.
Normally,the State receives substantial rainfall after June. However, due to inadequate rainfall this year, farmers have been unable to sow crops.
Less than 40% of the normal sowing has been completed across the State,and even those crops are drying up.Agricultural activities have suffered severe losses,”he said.
He said that the coastal and Malnad regions were receiving some rainfall and were therefore unlikely to face an immediate drinking-water crisis.
“The region extending from Hosadurga to Anantapur district is considered a rain-shadow area.Drinking water must be accorded the highest priority.
Wherever borewells are required,officials must act immediately.Motor pumps and electricity connections must also be provided without delay.Officials cannot offer any excuses in this matter,”he directed.
He said there was currently no situation that required people to migrate in search of work.He expressed satisfaction that the Animal Husbandry Department had distributed fodder-seed kits.
However,the implementation of the Fasal Bima Yojana appears to be failing.The Joint Director of Agriculture must treat the matter seriously and take appropriate action.Officials must also ensure that there are no delays or difficulties in installing transformers,”he said.
He said the Union Government had prescribed ten criteria for declaring drought and that the State was required to act within those norms.
“We cannot go beyond the prescribed guidelines. Information is being collected daily from every taluk,and officials have been instructed to conduct ground-truthing.
A decision on declaring drought will be considered after August 15,”he said.
He said title deeds were yet to be issued to 1.9 lakh revenue beneficiaries.“The 35,000 pending cases must be completed within two months.
A major programme must be organised in the district for distributing the title deeds, and the Chief Minister will attend it.
The Government has also initiated the recruitment of more than 700 land surveyors, and the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has been entrusted with the process,” he said.
Dr. Parameshwara warned that there was a possibility of contaminated water being supplied, which could cause illness and outbreaks of communicable diseases.
“This must not be allowed to happen, and officials must remain vigilant.The VB–G RAM G Scheme must be implemented properly.
The allotted person-days must be fully utilised, and works that directly benefit the people must be undertaken.The Government will provide the required funds,”he said.
He directed officials to encourage farmers to cultivate crops that require less water.Of the 165 rain-gauge stations in the district, only 105 are operational.The non-functional stations must be repaired immediately,” he instructed.
He said public services must be made easily accessible and announced that a Prajaseva Department was being established.
“People must not be made to repeatedly visit government offices.Files must not remain pending for months and should be disposed of promptly.
The Deputy Commissioner and Zilla Panchayat CEO must take action against officials who display negligence,”he said.
“If the people’s work is not carried out, what is the purpose of the Government or its officials? Your workload is greater this year, and any negligence will make you liable for the consequences.Work for the people with greater care,vigilance and commitment,”he warned.
During the meeting,Gauribidanur MLA,K.H.Puttaswamy Gowda pointed out that although official reports indicated normal rainfall in Gauribidanur,sowing levels remained low and drought-like conditions prevailed.
“The situation must be examined thoroughly.Otherwise, the problem may worsen in the coming days and cause hardship to the people.Officials must conduct ground-truthing and submit a report,”Dr.Parameshwara directed.
