Karnataka: Govt to take a decision on drought-stricken areas tomorrow

Vijayapura/Bagalkot: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that a crucial decision regarding the declaration of taluks grappling with severe rainfall shortages as drought-stricken areas would be taken on September 4.

The announcement came during a press address held after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and other members of the cabinet, participated in a ceremonial prayer session and offered a traditional 'Bagina' to the sacred River Krishna at Almatti.

Siddaramaiah noted that Karnataka had encountered a substantial deficit in rainfall, receiving only 56 percent of the expected precipitation during the month of June.

"The committee in charge has already commenced a thorough evaluation of 113 drought-affected taluks within the state. Based on the joint survey's findings, which will also cover an additional 73 taluks, the government will decide which areas warrant an official declaration of drought. The findings of this comprehensive survey will form the basis for the decision to declare specific taluks as drought-hit during the upcoming meeting on September 4," he said.

The Chief Minister stressed that following the declaration, the state government would seek assistance from the central government for the affected areas.

"Once the central government committee conducts the survey, the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) will allocate funds in accordance with their established guidelines. The state government will then employ these grants for relief operations, in addition to allocating its own resources for this purpose," he added.

Expressing concern about the current complexities in the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) regulations, Siddaramaiah revealed that the state government had already communicated with the central government, urging revisions to provide more substantial support to farmers. He believed that these changes would be beneficial for the agricultural community.

Addressing the pressing issue of the Kaveri water dispute, Siddaramaiah announced that an all-party delegation would soon head to Delhi to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Water Resources Minister.

He emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to safeguarding Karnataka's interests in the ongoing water dispute with neighboring states.

"Our government is committed to protecting the interests of the state by arguing effectively, and there is no financial difficulty in pursuing our case," he assured.

He said that to finalize phase 3 of the Upper Krishna project, encompassing the rehabilitation, reconstruction efforts, and the land acquisition process, an estimated expenditure of approximately Rs 1 lakh crore is anticipated.

"According to the 2023 projections, this cost stands at Rs 83,700 crore. The overall expenditure for the project's completion is expected to reach Rs 1 lakh crore. The state government is fully prepared to undertake this project, and we are urging the central government to issue the necessary notification without delay," he said.

"We are committed to placing a heightened emphasis on the rehabilitation and reconstruction aspects of the project while ensuring the efficient completion of the land acquisition process," he added.

Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar also weighed in on the situation, highlighting the government's dedication to irrigation projects and a substantial budget allocation of Rs. 21,000 crore.

He pledged that comprehensive discussions with MLAs, ministers, and officials would be held to address rehabilitation and reconstruction, ensuring the protection of farmers' interests.

In response to concerns about the Kaveri water issue, Shivakumar sought to allay fears, asserting that the government's utmost priority was to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of drinking water.

He reiterated the state's unwavering commitment to defending its interests in the ongoing dispute.