New Karnataka Ministers to Inspect Flood and Drought-Hit Districts from Wednesday; CM D.K. Shivakumar Issues Cabinet Directives
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday directed newly inducted ministers to visit the districts assigned to them from Wednesday to assess the flood and drought situation on the ground and submit detailed reports to the Revenue Department for further action.
Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said the government had discussed the major challenges facing the state, including drought conditions, heavy rainfall, and the Cauvery water situation.
The Chief Minister said ministers have been instructed to conduct field inspections in their respective districts, interact with local representatives across party lines and submit reports to the Revenue Minister after assessing damage caused by both excessive rainfall and drought conditions.
Shivakumar said recent rainfall had temporarily eased the water crisis in parts of the Cauvery basin, although drought conditions continued to persist in several regions. He noted that while Karnataka had been directed to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, inflows into the reservoirs had increased significantly, with nearly 30,000 cusecs currently being discharged due to rising storage levels.
He said heavy rainfall in Malnad had resulted in incidents in districts such as Shivamogga and Thirthahalli and assured that the government would seek reports before announcing relief measures.
The Chief Minister said the newly expanded Cabinet was briefed for nearly two hours on governance priorities and administrative responsibilities. He said the government had provided opportunities to several new faces despite having many experienced legislators in the party.
“There are many deserving leaders in the party. Not everyone can be accommodated at once. Opportunities will be provided wherever possible with patience and mutual respect,” he said.
On the absence of women in the latest Cabinet expansion, Shivakumar said one ministerial berth had been kept vacant and assured that a woman would be inducted into the Cabinet.
“Our party cannot exist without women. Women’s representation will certainly be ensured in the ministry,” he said.
Responding to questions about former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s absence from the swearing-in ceremony, Shivakumar dismissed speculation of differences, stating that both leaders had jointly discussed the Cabinet expansion and remained united.
“We are one team. All 139 MLAs are working together. Siddaramaiah has no dissatisfaction. We will continue to work united,” he said, adding that he had spoken to Siddaramaiah multiple times regarding the Cabinet formation.
On the final list of ministers, Shivakumar said the state leadership had acted in accordance with the directions of the party high command and that only the list officially submitted to the Governor should be treated as final.
Replying to questions about pending portfolio allocation, he said the government would follow the decisions of the Congress high command.
On criticism over inducting leaders facing criminal cases, Shivakumar said legal cases alone should not be treated as disqualification, noting that cases had also been registered against him in the past.
Commenting on the Cauvery dispute, the Chief Minister confirmed that Tamil Nadu had approached the Supreme Court and said Karnataka would respond strictly through legal means after consulting legal experts.
He thanked the BJP and JD(S) for extending support during the all-party meeting on the Cauvery issue and said Karnataka would continue to present its case before the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and the Cauvery Water Management Authority based on the prevailing situation.
Shivakumar also appreciated Union Minister Pralhad Joshi for facilitating discussions with the Centre and reiterated that the state would continue to safeguard Karnataka’s interests while complying with legal procedures governing Cauvery water sharing.
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