Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday chaired a meeting of Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Zilla Panchayats at Vidhana Soudha to review the prevailing drought situation across the state and discuss measures to address key challenges arising out of it.
The meeting focused on issues related to drinking water supply, availability of fodder for livestock, agricultural activities, employment generation and other relief measures needed to be implemented in drought-affected areas. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Ministers K.J. George, Ramalinga Reddy, Eshwar Khandre and Yathindra Siddaramaiah attended the meeting.
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Minister's Economic Advisor L.K. Atheeq, Additional Chief Secretaries Tushar Girinath and Gaurav Gupta, along with senior government officials, were also present. During the review, the Chief Minister directed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to work as "Team Karnataka" and ensure effective implementation of drought relief measures across the state.
Addressing a meeting on the drought situation at Vidhana Soudha's Conference Hall, the Chief Minister said he would rely on field reports rather than paper submissions and warned officials against negligence. "If there is any discrepancy between field reports and the reports submitted by officials, action will be taken," he said.
CM Shivakumar said Karnataka is currently facing a 60 per cent rainfall deficit, with 178 taluks affected. He asked district administrations to compile comprehensive data within the next 15 days to facilitate the submission of a drought report to the Centre.
The Chief Minister announced an additional Rs one crore for each rural taluk to address drinking water shortages and directed officials to guide farmers on agricultural activities based on rainfall patterns and reservoir storage levels. He also instructed officials to ensure transparency in the drilling of new borewells by recording videos of the process and warned that CEOs would be held directly responsible for any fake or bogus borewell claims
Shivakumar further stressed the need to protect the interests of small and marginal farmers and asked officials to extend full cooperation to teams conducting drought assessments in the state. Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara directed officials to ensure that no hardship is caused to people or livestock amid Karnataka's worsening drought situation.
Addressing a video conference chaired by CM Shivakumar, Parameshwara said the state has recorded a 68 per cent rainfall deficit, with groundwater levels declining in 88 taluks. He stressed prioritising drinking water supply, employment generation and fodder availability.
Parameshwara directed officials to expedite works under the VB-G RAM G Scheme, hold weekly district task force meetings and submit ground reports to facilitate drought relief measures and Central assistance.