Drought Preparedness: Kharge Seeks 10-Month Action Plan
Kharge also expressed displeasure that payments to some private borewell owners who had supplied water during the previous drought were still pending.
Kalaburagi: With indications of a prolonged drought emerging due to Super El Nino, Home Minister Priyank Kharge has directed officials to prepare a 10-month action plan to tackle drinking-water shortages, fodder requirements and heat waves.
Kharge said the present situation was different from previous droughts. Although drought had not yet been officially declared as the monsoon was still continuing, he said departments should work in coordination from the grassroots level if the situation persisted.
“Water supply to people and livestock should be our first priority,” he said at a review meeting on drought, drinking water, fodder and agricultural activities at the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Monday.
He also pulled up officials over complaints that people in Chittapur, Sedam and Chincholi were unable to reach them over drinking-water problems. “If I, as a minister, can answer their calls and listen to their problems, what difficulty do you have?” he asked, stressing the need for officials to respond to public grievances with sensitivity.
Kharge also expressed displeasure that payments to some private borewell owners who had supplied water during the previous drought were still pending. “If last year's payment is pending, who will give you water now?” he asked officials, directing them to clear the dues and follow the Task Force Committee's directions.
In Kalaburagi city, MLAs Allamaprabhu Patil and Kaneez Fatima told him that around 35 wards were facing water problems after tanker supply was stopped from August 1. The minister directed officials to submit a comprehensive report by August 14 and seek additional government funds if required. He also ordered legal action against L&T for allegedly failing to maintain the required tanker supply.
Speaking about agriculture, Minister Sharanprakash Patil said green gram, black gram, soybean and tur crops had been damaged and sought interim compensation for insured farmers. Agriculture officials said a proposal had been submitted for interim relief to 37,051 farmers.
The district has recorded a 35 per cent rainfall deficit in July-August, with sowing completed on only 5.37 lakh hectares against 8.90 lakh hectares. So far, 4.52 lakh farmers covering 5.35 lakh hectares have enrolled for crop insurance.
Kharge also ordered fertiliser shops to display daily stocks and prices, warning that black-market sales would not be tolerated. Action has been initiated against seven shops for alleged violations.