State cabinet to take final call on drought response after getting survey report

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday said it will take a final call on the prevailing drought situation in the state after getting the ‘ground truthing report' and pass an appropriate order.

The cabinet sub-committee on drought led by State Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has ordered a joint survey in 134 taluks and sought a report.

Ground truthing refers to a survey of crops and other conditions in the region. Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said there was a discussion on the drought situation.

Noting that the ground truthing survey would reveal more information, the cabinet decided to wait for the final report before passing orders.

Patil also said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to the Centre pointing to a shortcoming in the parameters fixed for announcing drought. Earlier parameter said that any region was announced drought hit if there was 20 per cent deficit rain but after 2016-17, the Centre changed the norm, the Minister explained.

The new parameter states that those regions will be called drought-hit where rainfall deficit is 60 per cent accompanied by a dry spell for three weeks.

“The Chief Minister has written to the Union Agriculture Minister (Narendra Singh Tomar) that this is not practical as it causes trouble to the farmers. You should immediately change those parameters,” Patil said.

He observed that the Centre's parameters cannot be accepted. Separately, the Cabinet also decided to order an inquiry into the purchase of clothes for school uniform under the Vidya Vikasa Yojane.

The topic came up during a discussion regarding the payment of bills for the scheme in 2021-22 and 2022- 23 to Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation and Department of Handlooms and Textiles.

“About 90 per cent cloth material was substandard. Wherever there was substandard cloth, 100 per cent payment was made. In view of irregularities, the cabinet decided to order an inquiry to identify those responsible for the supply of substandard clothes and initiate action,” the minister explained.