Yogesh K Porwar
*Drought Situation Severe in Tumakuru;Officials Directed to Prepare Emergency Alternatives for Drinking Water.
*Fodder Stock for Livestock Protection; Fodder Banks and Cattle Shelters to Be Opened if Required.
*Employment Generation to Be Increased in Rural Areas to Prevent Distress Migration.
*Hemavathi Water Available for Tumakuru City Only Until January; Officials Directed to Prepare Contingency Plan.
*DyCM to Undertake Three-Day Tour of Drought-Affected Districts in North Karnataka to Personally Review Situation.
*Central Drought Assessment Teams Inspecting State; Hopeful of Relief Based on Ground Reality.
*DyCM Appeals to Public to Use Water Judiciously and Cooperate in Tackling Drought.
Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Dr.G. Parameshwara today chaired a progress review meeting on “Drought Situation and Management in Tumakuru District” at the conference hall of the Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium and reviewed measures relating to drinking water, fodder, employment generation and other drought-management efforts.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said that although some parts of the State have received light rainfall, there has been no significant improvement in the drought situation.
The State Government had declared 101 taluks drought-affected in the first phase and submitted a memorandum to the Union Government.
Following the State’s request, the Centre has sent three teams that are inspecting the drought situation in various districts from October 3 to 6.
*Ground Reality of Drought Explained to Central Team:* The Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and senior officials of various departments have provided comprehensive information on the drought situation to the Central teams visiting Karnataka.
At the district level, Deputy Commissioners, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers and officials of the concerned departments have briefed the teams on local conditions.The teams have also been taken directly to severely affected areas to witness the ground reality.
The Central team has visited three to four taluks in Tumakuru district as well, where the district administration and concerned officials explained the impact of the drought.
At present, around 217 taluks in Karnataka have been declared drought-affected.Memoranda relating to 177 taluks have already been submitted to the Centre, with losses in these areas estimated at around ₹46,000 crore.
Under the NDRF guidelines, the State has currently sought around ₹10,000–₹11,000 crore in relief from the Union Government. Once the complete loss assessment is available,the State’s relief requirement may increase further.
The State has sought assistance strictly in accordance with the Union Government’s guidelines.We are confident that the Central team will understand Karnataka’s actual situation and submit an appropriate report to the Centre,based on which the State will receive the relief it requires.
Last time, the State Government had to approach the Supreme Court and obtain directions to secure drought relief. We hope such a situation will not arise this time.
*Tumakuru City Has Water Only Until January; Emergency Alternatives to Be Prepared:
Officials are being continuously instructed on drought management in Tumakuru district. Although the Model Code of Conduct is in force, there is no restriction on holding meetings or taking necessary measures relating to drought management. It was in this context that today’s meeting was held.
The Hemavathi River is the primary source of drinking water for Tumakuru city and some parts of the district.
Water has already been released from Hemavathi for the second time.
However, considering the present availability, drinking water supply to Tumakuru city may be possible only until January.
If there is rainfall in the coming months and inflow into the Hemavathi reservoir improves, the situation may ease.
But if there is no rain after January, we could face a serious problem and may have to depend on borewells.
Tumakuru city has more than 800 borewells, but the water available from them will not be sufficient to meet the daily needs of the entire city.
Apart from Hemavathi, there is no major alternative source capable of supplying water to Tumakuru city on a large scale.
Therefore, officials have been instructed to prepare a contingency plan from now itself for the situation that may arise after January.
They have also been asked to assess whether additional borewells are required and what other alternative water sources can be utilised.
Use Water Judiciously;
Situation May Remain Challenging Until May:Rather than imposing rigid guidelines on water use,the Government’s first priority is to ensure that people’s basic drinking water needs are met.
People across the State must use water very carefully. Unnecessary use of water,including for washing vehicles, should be reduced as much as possible.The public should also cooperate with the Government by conserving water in their daily household use.
According to information from the Meteorological Department, the possibility of adequate rainfall remains low for the next several months,and the situation could become more serious. It is therefore essential to use the available water resources with utmost care.
Drought management is not the responsibility of the Government alone.Public cooperation is equally important. Everyone must give priority to water conservation and judicious use.
Fodder Available for 33 Weeks:
Livestock are an important asset for farmers,and protecting them is a key priority for the Government.
Fodder seed kits were distributed to farmers around two months ago,and the fodder grown from them is now reaching the stage where it can be used.
Fodder crops, including jowar,have grown to around three to four feet and will support farmers in the coming days.
The State Government has already provided ₹125 crore for the purchase and supply of fodder.Additional funds will be released if required.
Officials are also exploring the possibility of bringing fodder from other areas and States where it is available if local shortages arise.
Tumakuru district currently has enough fodder for around 33 weeks.Pavagada has sufficient fodder for around 15 weeks,and any shortage there will be addressed through alternative crops and other sources.
Responding to farmers in the Tiptur region seeking a fodder bank,Dr.Parameshwara said the Government respects farmers’ demands.There is no immediate need to open a fodder bank at present.
However,the Government is prepared to establish fodder banks and cattle shelters as soon as the need arises.
The situation may change within the next one or two weeks,and the Government will take immediate action based on the requirement at that time.Every effort will be made to ensure that farmers do not face difficulties.
Since Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh,Telangana and most other southern States are also facing drought conditions,officials are in contact with areas where fodder may still be available so that it can be sourced if required.
Employment Generation to Be Increased to Prevent Migration:
Drought relief cannot be managed through financial assistance alone. Officials have been instructed to take up local works and generate employment so that people in rural areas are not forced to migrate in search of work.
Under the VB-G RAM G programme,around 4.5 lakh to 5 lakh person-days of employment have already been generated.
Officials have been directed to further increase these works and provide employment and income to rural communities.
The State Government is already providing ₹2,500 assistance per farmer.Until assistance from the Centre arrives,the State is standing by its farmers with its own resources.The repayment period for farmers’ loans has also been extended up to 60 months.
The State Government has already enacted a law to take action if microfinance institutions harass farmers or members of the public.Every possible protection will be provided to farmers during the drought.
Efforts to Take an All-Party Delegation to the Centre:
The Chief Minister and I are continuously holding meetings on the drought situation.We will also continue personally visiting districts to review conditions on the ground.
In the next phase,I will undertake a three-day tour of drought-affected districts in North Karnataka,including Ballari,Bagalkote,Koppal,
Karnataka is facing a drought of a severity not seen before.The Government,Opposition and the public must face this crisis together.
The Government has decided to take an all-party delegation to Delhi to place Karnataka’s demands before the Union Government.
Although there are reports that Opposition leaders may not participate, efforts will be made once again to persuade them to join.
Drought is not an issue concerning any one political party; it affects the entire State.The Opposition should therefore cooperate.
Even if they choose not to participate,a State Government delegation will meet the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Union Agriculture Minister, explain Karnataka’s situation and seek relief.
Yettinahole Project:
Inclusion of Kora Hobli Under Existing Allocation to Be Examined:
Responding to the demand of farmers from Kora Hobli to release Yettinahole water to Embathahalli Lake,Dr. Parameshwara said there was no question of blaming anyone at this stage and that the matter had already been discussed with the project’s Chief Engineer.
Further action will depend on the quantity of water available from Yettinahole.The Chief Engineer has been instructed to review the plan and examine whether Kora Hobli can be accommodated within the water allocation already made to Koratagere.Efforts will also be made at the Government level.
Regarding the trial release of water under the Yettinahole project,some works in the Hassan region are still pending.
Approval from the Union Government has been obtained for an issue concerning the Forest Department, while efforts are underway to resolve issues relating to some farmers.
Once the works are completed,water will be released on a trial basis.However, this will only be water stored for testing purposes.There is no continuous source of water available until the next monsoon.
Milk Price Revision Under Discussion;No Final Decision Yet:
Responding to a question on a possible increase in milk prices, he said discussions are underway and that the final decision of the KMF remains to be seen.
If prices are increased,discussions will be held on how the benefit can be passed on to farmers and to what extent the Government can support them before a final decision is taken.
Upper Bhadra Water Will Reach Sira;Process Will Take Time:
Responding to a question on bringing Upper Bhadra project water to Sira taluk, Dr.Parameshwara said large irrigation projects involve technical and administrative processes and therefore require time.
It took decades of struggle and procedural work for Upper Bhadra water to reach the Chitradurga and Hiriyur regions.
Similarly,bringing water to Sira may also take some time. However,he expressed confidence that Upper Bhadra water will reach the Sira region.
