Kalaburagi: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has warned that strict action will be taken against the officials who showed negligence in managing the drought situation.
Addressing a review meeting of officials from Kalaburagi division here on Tuesday, CM Shivakumar asked them to be more proactive and responsible to achieve the government’s goal of providing clean governance besides guaranteeing civil rights to the last person in the society.
He said that the situation in the state is satisfactory even though there is concern throughout the country about the lack of rainfall. We have held landmark discussions with the Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and the Union Water Resources Minister with a view to finding a permanent solution to the inter-state water dispute. The central government has also given a positive response to the proposal to link the rivers Krishna, Cauvery and Godavari. We have decided to work together overcoming political differences in the interest of farmers, explained Shivakumar.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwar has directed officials to take necessary measures to stop migration in Kalyana Karnataka region following the failure of monsoon. He also said that jobs should be provided to rural people in their villages using available grants and other schemes.
Saying that steps should be taken so that people do not face a lack of basic needs such as drinking water, food, employment, health and livestock feed, he said the situation in the region has not improved. Coastal and Malnad regions have received good rainfall for the past few days. Due to this, some water is being discharged into the rivers, he added.
“Experts are of the opinion that the effect of Super El Niño may cause problems like drought, untimely rain and landslides in many parts of the world including India. A similar situation is currently being witnessed in Karnataka. This may become even more disastrous if there is no rain in the coming days,” he noted.
Lack of rainfall
He said there is lack of rainfall in 36 talukas of Kalaburagi revenue division and 11 talukas have received much less. A total of 37 taluks have been affected by the lack of rain. The planting operation has been undertaken on only 38 percent of the agricultural land in the region. Last year, in the same period, 19.41 thousand hectares were planted. This year, the sown area has been reduced to 11.76 billion hectares, he informed.
“The demand for seeds and fertilizers may increase if there is unexpected rainfall. Therefore, officials should ensure that adequate seeds and fertilizers are available during the Kharif season. Deputy commissioners and officials of the agriculture department should pay attention to this,” he said. Parameshwar issued instructions for opening fodder banks and Goshalas.
He further said that measures should be taken to ensure proper functioning of rain gauge stations and farmers should be encouraged to cultivate less water intensive crops as well as their awareness. A senior KAS official has been appointed as Taluk in-charge for this purpose and their services should be properly utilized for drought management, he advised.
Ministers KH Muniyappa, Sharan Prakash Patil, Priyank Kharge, UT Khader, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and other officials were present.
