Karnataka prepares drought action plan as rainfall deficit persists: Dy CM Parameshwara

Belagavi, 

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said the state government has prepared an action plan to tackle a possible drought due to deficient rainfall and earmarked Rs 5 crore for each district to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water. Warning that the situation could become "precarious" if rainfall remains deficient in July, he said almost all reservoirs in the state have reached dead storage due to poor rainfall.

"We hope there will be good rainfall sometime in July," he added. Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, chaired a review meeting with deputy commissioners, zilla panchayat chief executive officers and assistant commissioners of the seven districts in the Belagavi division. "An action plan has already been prepared at the state level and will be implemented by the deputy commissioners. An allocation of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for each district to ensure drinking water supply," he said.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said a separate action plan would be prepared for other works and projects, if required. Noting that the government had reviewed issues affecting the Belagavi region, particularly those arising from below-normal rainfall this year, the deputy CM said necessary steps would be taken to address drinking water shortages and crop losses. He said drought-like conditions were emerging in Belagavi district, increasing the likelihood of a drinking water crisis.

Rainfall during June in the seven districts of the Belagavi division was below normal, resulting in a decline in reservoir and groundwater levels, he added. "If sufficient rainfall does not occur in the coming days, the situation could become one we have never faced before. The government has discussed precautionary measures, prepared an action plan and issued directions to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water," he said. Responding to a question on declaring a drought, Parameshwara said there were established criteria for declaring a taluk or district drought-affected.

Rainfall deficiency, crop losses and water availability would all be assessed before such a declaration is made. "We are monitoring the situation regularly. If the prescribed criteria are met, the government will declare the affected areas as drought-hit," he said. He said cloud seeding was not under consideration at present and would be taken up only if the situation warranted it. Asked about drought relief from the Centre for crop losses, amid concerns that allocations under the National Disaster Response Fund are lower than the state's demands every year, Parameshwara said the Centre should consider Karnataka's request but often failed to do so.

"I do not wish to politicise the issue," he said, while expressing disappointment that the state had received less than 10 per cent of the relief it had sought. Pointing out that it was too early to assess crop losses as sowing had not commenced in many places, he said the situation would depend on whether the state receives rainfall in July and whether late sowing is possible. "If there is no rainfall in July and late sowing cannot be taken up, the situation will certainly become precarious. We will take all necessary measures to deal with it," he said.

On the Revenue Department, Parameshwara said the distribution of title deeds, declaration of revenue villages and other programmes had progressed steadily over the past three years. The government had decided to expedite these initiatives and complete them within the stipulated timeframe. Referring to the Religious Endowments Department, which is also under his charge, he said encroachments on the properties of A, B and C category temples had been identified, and officials in every district had been directed to conduct surveys and remove them.

He said devotees should not face inconvenience in obtaining darshan, receiving prasadam or accessing accommodation at temples. Donations received by temples should be spent only with the approval of the competent authority. "Unnecessary expenditure will not be permitted under any circumstances, and strict action will be taken. Standard Operating Procedures and rules will also be formulated," he said, adding that allegations of embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya should serve as a "warning bell".

No such incidents should occur at A and B category temples in Karnataka, where large sums are received as donations. Highlighting the government's focus on sports, the deputy CM said greater encouragement would be provided to sports in district-level schools and colleges that currently lack adequate infrastructure. The government would extend all possible support to athletes. Eligible sportspersons would also receive 3 per cent reservation in Home Department recruitments and 2 per cent reservation in recruitments to other departments, he said.