Govt Prepared To Combat Drought, Says Bhatti, Calls For Collective Action
Telangana government is preparing drought mitigation measures, including drinking water and fodder arrangements, while seeking Centre’s assistance and support from all political parties.
The Telangana government on Wednesday called for collective action to mitigate the impact of El Nino, and the drought conditions in the state. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who chaired an all-party meeting at the Secretariat on drought preparedness, said the government was taking all measures to tackle the drought.
He also said as part of advance preparedness, the state has already submitted a report from the Centre, and if required, the government was ready to lead an all-party delegation to Delhi to secure assistance to Telangana.
Wednesday’s meeting was also attended by ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Danasari ‘Seethakka’ Anasuya, Tummala Nageswara Rao and Vakiti Srihari, members of the Cabinet sub-committee on drought headed by Vikramarka. Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju and nodal officer J. Ramakrishna Rao, along with heads of various departments also attended the meeting.
Making it clear that the government will move forward with a coordinated action plan , Vikramarka assured that the government will take into consideration suggestions from all political parties to effectively address the challenges posed by El Nino.
Vikramarka appealed to all parties to set aside political criticism in larger public interest and come together to deal with the present crisis. Wednesday’s meeting, he said, was convened by inviting all political parties in the true spirit of democracy. Suggestions from the leaders of various parties have been recorded, and the government will make every possible effort to incorporate feasible recommendations into its action plan, he said.
Recalling how governments and political parties worked together to overcome crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Vikramarka called for a similar spirit of cooperation in addressing the present challenges, and called for the placing of public welfare above political differences.
He said the impact of El Niño was discussed in the Legislative Assembly, and subsequently, the government organised various meetings and seminars and consulted scientists and experts on drought mitigation plans. Even as steps are being taken to raise public awareness, the government was assessing the conditions likely to arise in the coming months and is preparing to address the challenges, he added.
The government, he said, was formulating plans to make effective use of available resources, and department-wise measures were being coordinated to minimise the impact of drought. The government is also making advance arrangements to prevent drinking water shortages in rural and urban areas, along with ensuring water and fodder for livestock along with making the required budgetary provisions.
On the available water resources in the state, he said rainfall deficits were not confined to Telangana but also to upper riparian states which resulted in poor inflows into reservoirs in the state and efficient water-resource management has become important.
Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government listened to the concerns voiced by leaders of all the parties, and will take their views into consideration while deciding on further action. “As far as river water issues are concerned, the government is committed to protecting the interests of Telangana State and Telangana farmers,” he said.