Belagavi (Karnataka), July 9 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday announced that the state government has decided to allocate Rs 1 crore to every rural Assembly constituency to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in view of the prevailing rainfall deficit.

Addressing a press conference after chairing the Belagavi Division Progress Review Meeting at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, the Chief Minister said the government is taking proactive measures to tackle the emerging drought-like situation without waiting for financial assistance from the Centre.

“To ensure that people do not face any shortage of drinking water due to inadequate rainfall, we have decided to provide Rs 1 crore to every rural Assembly constituency. The funds should be utilised by local legislators after assessing the requirements and preparing suitable plans,” Shivakumar said.

He said all MLAs and MPs from the region participated in the review meeting, during which several issues concerning north Karnataka were discussed.

“My tour of north Karnataka began from the Anubhava Mantapa at Basavakalyan, the land of Basavanna. While parts of Kittur Karnataka have received some rainfall, the state as a whole has not received normal monsoon rains. The Central government has also issued a warning about the possibility of severe drought conditions across the country,” he said.

The Chief Minister said review meetings had been conducted in Kalaburagi and Belagavi to assess the drought situation, and more than 50 legislators and Members of Parliament had offered valuable suggestions.

He said officials had been instructed to make adequate preparations for the supply of seeds and fertilisers to farmers.

“The state government has already released funds to Deputy Commissioners. Instead of waiting for Central assistance, we have decided to act immediately to ensure that people do not face hardship,” he said.

Shivakumar added that officials had also been directed to conserve sufficient water in reservoirs to meet drinking water needs, as the availability of water for irrigation in the coming months remains uncertain.

The Chief Minister said a separate meeting would be held in Bengaluru to review the fertiliser situation with the concerned minister.

He alleged that the Central government had supplied only 50 per cent of the required fertilisers and directed officials to maintain adequate fertiliser stocks to meet farmers’ needs.

Shivakumar also said several complaints had been received regarding delays caused by the Forest Department in executing drinking water and irrigation projects.

“We have been informed that pipeline works are facing hurdles at more than 60 locations due to forest-related issues. I have instructed officials that under no circumstances should drinking water projects be obstructed,” he said.

On the issue of forest rights, the Chief Minister said no one should be evicted from forest areas without following due legal process.

“People who have been living in forest areas for generations should not be displaced. They must receive the rights they are entitled to under the law. Protecting such communities is our government’s commitment,” he added.

–IANS

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