BENGALURU: Minister for Agriculture Cheluvarayaswamy on Friday said that the State Government has taken a serious note on the deficit rainfall in the State this season and a decision on declaration of drought-hit State would be based on a sub-committee report before the report is placed in the cabinet meeting.
He told reporters in Mysuru that rainfall has been deficit in August while July recorded copious rainfall. June also reported deficit rainfall and as per the Centre’s guidelines, if rainfall is deficit on a trot for three weeks than drought-hit declaration could be made.
“If there is no rainfall in a week or about 10 days then a decision would be taken to declare State as drought-hit,” said the Minister and stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to the Centre asking to bring down 60 percent rainfall deficit to 30 deficit rainfall to tag drought-hit. The Centre is yet to respond to the State’s plea.
Cheluvarayaswamy said officials concerned have been asked to prepare a report on status of crop condition, water shortage among others factors and noted that “If the deficit rainfall continues then the State could be in distress.”
