Minor Irrigation Minister Dr Ajay Dharam Singh (right) meets the Chief Minister’s financial adviser Atheeq in Bengaluru on October 27. Photo: DIPR.
Bengaluru: Additional irrigation funds to provide borewells for eligible small and marginal Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers have been sought as part of a wider request for Karnataka’s supplementary budget to support drought management and urgent minor irrigation works.
Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology Minister Dr Ajay Dharam Singh raised the demand during a meeting with the Chief Minister’s financial adviser Atheeq, according to a departmental release dated October 27. The release announces a request for funds, rather than a sanctioned allocation, and does not specify an amount.
Additional SCP–TSP funds sought for borewells
The minister sought additional funding under the SCP–TSP programme for the Minor Irrigation Department. He said it would enable borewells to be provided to more eligible SC/ST farmers with small and marginal holdings, supporting irrigation, farm production and income security.
The request also covers urgent irrigation infrastructure and water-storage works sought by legislators from different parts of the State. Citing drought conditions in several districts, Singh said additional provision in the supplementary budget would allow priority works to be taken up.
Focus on longer-term water security
Singh said drought management should extend beyond temporary relief. Strengthening tanks, check dams, barrages, groundwater recharge and other minor irrigation infrastructure was necessary for longer-term water security, he said.
He asked the financial adviser to convey the department’s requirement to the Chief Minister. The department’s secretary and chief engineers from its two zones attended the meeting.
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Atul Chaturvedi 
