Forget rules, fight drought: Siddaramaiah

BIDAR: Expressing his willingness to release any quantum of funds to provide succour in drought-hit areas, including this district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah warned officers not to stick to rules and regulations while combating scarcity conditions on a war-footing. Presiding over a review meeting after visiting a water tank at Aurad town where desilting work has been taken up by the district administration, Mr Siddaramaiah said official lethargy should not come in the way of benefits of various schemes reaching people in these parched areas. “Whether the Union government releases funds or not, we will provide adequate funds. We have released Rs 24 crores and all DCs have enough funds. If they ask for more, we will release readily. Do not look for excuses and give no scope for any bottlenecks. If any officer shows slackness in work, we will not show any mercy in taking action against him” he added.

The Chief Minister, who earlier heard complaints from his own party MLAs against district in-charge minister Umashree and the district administration about their failure to implement drought relief works in the district, instructed them to set-up any number of cattle sheds and fodder banks. The district administration should also prevent interstate movement of fodder. “Let there be no laxity”, he warned. The Chief Minister instructed officials to release wages to labourers who were given employment under MNREGA scheme within three days instead of the statutory nine days.

Replying to a query, Mr Siddaramaiah assured that the government would immediately release the input subsidy to farmers who lost crops during 2014-15, but rejected the demand for waiver of farm loans and interest, as demanded by some legislators. “The loan waiver is nothing but a political stunt. I had to clear off the farm loans waived off by previous governments for political considerations. It is not a wise step now”, Mr Siddaramaiah  added.