From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 18: With more than three-fourths of Karnataka facing severe drought and people suffering due to loss of crops and drinking water, with even cattle and animals facing problems of finding drinking water and fodder this year, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sternly rejected a petition seeking funds for construction of a temple at a village in Harappanahalli in Davanagere.
The Chief Minister was meeting people during his Janata Darshan at his official residence in Bengaluru on Tuesday, when two people from a village in Harappanalli sought funds from the State Government for construction of a temple in their village.
After seeing the application, Siddaramaiah said: "There is no money for construction of the temple. The whole state is facing drought and people are facing severe shortage of drinking water. Even the cattle and animals are suffering."
The State Government on Tuesday released a sum of Rs 265 crore input subsidy directly to the bank accounts of 4.47 lakh farmers across various districts.
Siddaramaiah held a video conference at his official residence 'Krishna' with Deputy Commissioners, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers and Regional Commissioners on prevailing drought situation and steps taken to tackle the situation.
The Chief Ministers told officials to take control of private borewells, if necessary, to mitigate drinking water supply in villages, after paying owners of borewells rent for drawing water.
However, he told officials not to draw water from private borewells by force and tactfully handle the situation by convincing the people to help the less fortunate ones.
Siddaramaiah made it clear that there was no shortage of funds for implementing drought relief measures. Adequate stock of fodder has been maintained for livestock.
Earlier the State government has released Rs 671 Crore input subsidy benefiting 12.03 lakh farmers.
So far, the State Government has credited input subsidy ofRs936 Crore to the bank accounts of farmers, he said.
In the day-long meeting, Siddaramaiah sought details about amount sanctioned for drought relief works to each district and money spent, steps taken to ensure supply of drinking water, fodder to live stocks, opening of goshalas and providing jobs to stop migration in search of jobs.
He told Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department officials to release daily wages to beneficiaries under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme within 15 days of work.
Revenue Minister KagoduThimmappa and other Ministers attended the video conference and instructed the officials on the steps to be taken for tackle drought.