Second list of drought-hit Karnataka taluks to be announced soon, says CM Shivakumar

Gadag (Karnataka), Sep 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday said the state government would soon announce the second list of drought-hit taluks after conducting a detailed assessment in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.

Addressing the media after holding a meeting with district-level officials at the Gadag Deputy Commissioner’s office to review the drought situation, Shivakumar said the government had to follow the prescribed criteria while declaring areas drought-affected.

"We have to declare drought-hit areas as per the guidelines. Accordingly, we are conducting a study and will announce the second list shortly," he said.

The Chief Minister said the district in-charge minister had visited every taluk and submitted a report based on the ground situation, while officials were also conducting their own assessment.

“Both reports have to be examined, and a report has to be submitted to the Centre,” he said.

Shivakumar said the situation of farmers in Gadag was extremely difficult and described it as the worst drought the district had witnessed in five decades.

"Farmers’ livelihoods are at risk, and people are worried. Rainfall is around 40 per cent below normal this year. I saw the situation while travelling by helicopter. In many places, sowing has not taken place at all. Even where sowing has been done, farmers may not get even 10 to 15 per cent of the crop," he said.

The Chief Minister said he had personally visited farmers’ fields and inspected cotton, groundnut, maize, and sunflower crops.

"I have understood the extent of the difficulties faced by farmers. I spoke to them and heard their concerns. They also explained how the VB-G Ram G scheme could help prevent people from migrating in search of employment," he said.

Shivakumar said only Gajendragad taluk had so far been declared drought-hit in the district. However, all MLAs, under the leadership of the district in-charge minister, had submitted a representation seeking that all taluks in Gadag district be declared drought-affected.

On cloud seeding, he said MLA H.K. Patil had presented his views on the proposal. Other legislators had also raised issues related to irrigation, Bennihalla, and various development projects.

"We will take action on these projects keeping the financial situation of the state in mind," he said.

The Chief Minister stressed that the state’s drought assessment report must match the report prepared by the Central team.

"The report prepared by us has to be accepted by the drought assessment team coming from Delhi. Only then will the Centre provide assistance," he said.

Shivakumar said the government had already taken measures within its capacity, including ensuring drinking water supply. He said Rs 1 crore had been allocated to every rural Assembly constituency for drinking water and additional funds had been kept with Deputy Commissioners to meet emergency requirements.

He also announced that the Praja Seva Andolana would begin from September 5 to make the administration more responsive and ensure that people do not have to make repeated trips to government offices to get their grievances addressed.

He said the government was also undertaking a re-verification of beneficiaries and forming panchayat-level committees to ensure that guarantee schemes reached eligible beneficiaries and were not misused.

Shivakumar added that he had planned to explain the achievements of the government’s first 100 days and its future programmes during the Assembly session, but the Opposition had not allowed him to do so. He said he would present the details during the 100-day programme.

Source: IANS