Drinking Water, Fodder Top Priority as Rainfall Deficit Raises Drought Concerns in Kalyana Karnataka: CM D.K. Shivakumar
Kalaburagi, July 7: With Karnataka witnessing a significant rainfall deficit this monsoon, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday directed officials to accord the highest priority to ensuring drinking water supply and fodder availability for livestock, warning that drought-like conditions are emerging across the Kalyana Karnataka region.
Chairing a Kalyana Karnataka Progress Review and Drought Preparedness Meeting at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium of Gulbarga University, the Chief Minister said the government is closely monitoring the rainfall situation and has already begun reviewing preparedness district by district.
Drinking Water, Fodder Must Be Top Priority
Addressing officials, Shivakumar said rainfall has remained far below normal across the Kalaburagi division, while only parts of Malnad and Coastal Karnataka have received scattered showers.
“Our immediate priority must be uninterrupted drinking water supply for people and adequate fodder for livestock. There should be no shortage of funds for drinking water works,” he said.
The Chief Minister informed the meeting that district administrations already have sufficient funds available under their PD accounts for emergency drinking water measures, including:
- Bidar – ₹12 crore
- Kalaburagi – ₹36 crore
- Koppal – ₹10 crore
- Raichur – ₹3 crore
- Yadgir – ₹9 crore
- Vijayanagara – ₹7 crore
He directed Deputy Commissioners to fully utilise the available funds without delay.
36 Taluks Facing Severe Rainfall Deficit
Officials informed the meeting that of the 51 taluks in the Kalyana Karnataka region, 36 are experiencing severe rainfall deficiency.
The Agriculture Department reported that against the target of 14 lakh hectares, sowing has so far been completed only in 11.16 lakh hectares.
Revenue Department Disaster Management Secretary Manoj Kumar Meena informed the meeting that rainfall during July has been particularly poor.
Despite the situation, the Chief Minister expressed hope that rainfall may improve in the coming days and instructed officials to maintain adequate stocks of seeds and fertilisers so farmers can immediately take up sowing if rains arrive.
Super El Niño Warning
The Chief Minister also cautioned officials about the possible impact of Super El Niño, saying rising temperatures and prolonged dry weather could trigger outbreaks of diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.
He instructed all departments to remain prepared and implement preventive measures well in advance.
Faster Repairs of Electricity Infrastructure
Several MLAs complained about frequent power interruptions and delays of up to two weeks in replacing damaged transformers, affecting irrigation through borewells.
Responding to the concerns, Shivakumar directed the Managing Director of GESCOM to personally visit districts and ensure that damaged transformers are repaired or replaced on priority.
River Linking Proposal
The Chief Minister said discussions had recently taken place with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy regarding the proposed Cauvery–Krishna–Godavari river linking project.
He said Karnataka has urged the Union Government to declare it a National Project with an allocation of ₹1 lakh crore.
According to Shivakumar, if implemented, Karnataka would receive 33 TMC of additional water, providing a long-term solution to drinking water shortages in Kalyana Karnataka and other parts of the state.
KKRDB Funds Must Be Utilised
Reviewing development works under the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), the Chief Minister noted that although the government had allocated ₹13,000 crore over the last three years, many projects remain incomplete or have not commenced.
He instructed departments to expedite implementation and ensure timely utilisation of funds.
KKRDB Chairman Dr. Ajay Singh informed the meeting that the Board had spent ₹9,304 crore over the last three years but said additional engineers and staff are required to improve project execution.
Revenue Department Campaign
The Chief Minister directed district administrations to launch a three-month revenue campaign to deliver citizen-centric services, including:
- e-Pauti services
- Land survey and subdivision (Durasth/Podi)
- Distribution of title deeds
- Declaration of new revenue villages
He said the objective is to bring government services directly to people’s doorsteps.
Rural Development Projects
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre informed the meeting that:
- 1,025 km of roads in Kalyana Karnataka are being upgraded at a cost of ₹1,000 crore, with completion targeted by March 2027.
- Under the Pragati Path Scheme, 7,110 km of rural roads across Karnataka will be upgraded with ₹5,000 crore funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
- Pending Jal Jeevan Mission works will also be completed in phases.
Legislators Raise Local Concerns
Several MLAs and MLCs highlighted issues including:
- Shortage of fertilisers.
- Immediate drought relief measures.
- Drinking water scarcity in hundreds of villages.
- Delays in crop insurance compensation.
- Need to accelerate Jal Jeevan Mission works.
- Tank-filling projects.
- Faster recruitment under Article 371(J).
- Better utilisation of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds.
- Housing allocation under mineral fund schemes.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, ministers Priyank Kharge, Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, Eshwar Khandre, senior bureaucrats, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Deputy Commissioners, Zilla Panchayat CEOs and officials from agriculture, irrigation, animal husbandry, revenue and other departments.
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