Pramesh S Jain
*Three Central Teams to Inspect Drought-Hit Areas; Relief Sought Based on Extent of Loss:Dr.G. Parameshwara.
*Allegations of Eligible Voters’ Names Being Deleted Through Form 7 Must Be Investigated;Verification Will Reveal the Facts If Any Wrongdoing Has Occurred:DCM.
The estimated crop losses caused by the drought situation in Karnataka could reach between ₹50,000 crore and ₹60,000 crore.
The state government will seek drought relief as per the guidelines of the Central Government, said Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Dr.G.Parameshwara.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru,he said that a total of 217 taluks in the state have been declared drought-hit.
Loss assessments have been completed for 177 of these taluks,and the second memorandum submitted to the Centre has reported losses of approximately ₹46,000 crore.
The assessment process for the remaining 40 taluks, declared drought-hit on October 1,is also underway.
Once the losses across all these taluks are consolidated, the total estimated loss could range between ₹50,000 crore and ₹60,000 crore.The state will seek the relief due to it under the Central Government’s guidelines,he said.
Responding to a question from the media regarding the 22 taluks that have not yet been declared drought-hit, he said that ground-truthing would also be conducted in those taluks.
The assessment may reveal that one, two or three of these taluks are drought-hit.Some taluks in the coastal region do not appear to be facing such conditions.
Appropriate action will be taken based on the actual situation established after the assessment,he said.
He clarified that the recent rainfall would not adversely affect the assessment for drought relief.While the rain may provide some relief in terms of drinking water availability, it is unlikely to significantly benefit crops.
The conditions prevailing during May, June, July, August and September will be explained to the Central teams, and the memorandum already records the situation during these months.The drought situation will not be determined solely on the basis of recent rainfall, he said.
Three teams comprising Joint Secretaries and officials from various Central Government ministries, including the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, are arriving in the state.
These teams will visit three regions of Karnataka to assess the actual rainfall and crop-loss situation.The teams will proceed with their inspections following today’s briefing,he said,adding that separate teams have already begun inspections in some areas.
Two memorandums seeking drought relief have already been submitted to the Centre.The second memorandum details estimated losses of approximately ₹46,000 crore across 177 taluks.
Once the Central teams complete their inspections and the assessment of losses in the remaining taluks is concluded,a third and final memorandum covering the situation across all 217 taluks will be submitted,he said.
We Went to Submit a Memorandum to the Election Commission :
Responding to the BJP’s criticism of Congress leaders who visited the Chief Electoral Officer’s office over allegations that eligible voters’names were being deleted through Form 7,Dr.G.Parameshwara said that they had not gone there to stage a protest but to submit a memorandum to the Election Commission.
Since they did not receive a proper response,they remained there until a response was provided.We are the ones running the government.
Why would we go there to stage a protest? Neither the Chief Minister nor any minister had gone there to protest. We have that basic understanding,” he said in response to the criticism.
Several FIRs have already been registered in different places in connection with Form 7 applications.Cases have been registered in some places against individuals who allegedly collected Form 7 applications, signed them and submitted them in bundles.
The Election Commission has been requested to ensure that FIRs are registered in connection with the matter.
The Election Commission has communicated in writing that it would issue a notice allowing seven days and, after waiting for that period,proceed with the registration of an FIR.
Further action will be taken accordingly. Developments in the case are expected to follow once the FIR is registered,he said.
He alleged that the matter involved a large-scale irregularity and raised questions about where the Form 7 applications had been printed.
According to him,the forms appeared to have been printed centrally with the relevant information already filled in,leaving only the applicants’names and EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) numbers to be entered, along with signatures.
He said that applications relating to 50 to 60 people from the same community had allegedly been submitted together in individual bundles, raising several questions.
“How did they obtain all this information?.
Who printed these applications?.
Where were they printed?.
There are suspicions that several things may have taken place behind the scenes,”he said.
He added that the necessary evidence would be submitted to the relevant investigating agencies at the appropriate time.
The allegations had been raised, and supporting documents would be provided to the concerned agencies,he said.
Allegations Must Be Investigated:
“Anyone can interpret the matter in any way they want. But if a mistake has occurred,it must be acknowledged as a mistake,”Dr.G.Parameshwara said,adding that opposition leaders were making various statements to deflect attention from the issue.
He clarified that no particular political party had been specifically targeted in the allegations.He also cited an instance in Belagavi where some individuals had reportedly acknowledged that an error had occurred and withdrawn their applications in writing.
Responding to a media question about claims that applicants had withdrawn their applications under pressure or threats, he said that those who had submitted the applications were adults capable of understanding their actions.
“They were aware of what they were doing when they submitted the applications, weren’t they? The opposition is making such statements to defend itself,” he said.
He emphasised that the truth behind the allegations must emerge and that there was no objection to conducting an investigation.
“If an investigation establishes that no wrongdoing has taken place and everything is in order, we are ready to accept that.
However, our allegation is that irregularities have occurred, and we will provide the supporting evidence. Let the concerned authorities examine the matter. The truth will emerge after the investigation,” he said.
