Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has assured of releasing funds on priority basis for addressing drinking water crisis in Malnad region.
Speaking at the Karnataka Development Programme review meet in the City on Tuesday, DyCM instructed the officials to repair defunct bore wells and pipe lines supplying drinking water in Sagar, Hosanagar and Tirthahalli taluks at the earliest.
Raising the issue, Legislator Belur Gopalakrishna informed the meet that even in mid-June drinking water is supplied in tankers in Sagar town.
He demanded the government to provide funds for the project to draw water to the town from Sharavati backwater.
Voicing similar opinion, MLA Araga Jnanendra demanded the State Government to declare Tirthahalli, Hosanagar and Sagar taluks as drought-hit as rainfall in the region is below average. MLA also apprehended that since monsoon is weak this year, problem may become complicated. He demanded special grant for drought relief work and address drinking water crises in the region.
Expressing disappointment about the failure of bureaucrats to handle the crises, DyCM fumed at district top brass for concealing the issue. He also demanded for detailed report about the same.
When progress achieved by Department of Public Instruction came for discussion in the meet, DyCM sought explanation from Deputy Director of Public Instruction regarding target not achieved in distributing bicycles for girls. When DDPI said that bicycles were not extended for those whose name haven’t figured in below poverty line list, DyCM said that norms related to distribution of bicycles have been relaxed.
Facilities extended by Government can be claimed by producing income certificate issued by Tahshildar, he informed.
Copper sulphate
Elected representatives alleged of irregularity in distributing copper sulphate at subsidised rate for farmers in the district. Elected representatives said that copper sulphate per kilogram supplied by Department of Horticulture costs Rs 41 more than that supplied by cooperative bodies like Mamcos.
 When Deputy Director of Horticulture Dr Shakheel expressed helplessness in this regard as large scale purchase of copper sulphate attracts central excise, Legislators suggested for splitting the distribution for avoiding central excise duty. When Deputy Director of Horticulture failed to come up with satisfactory reply in this regard, DyCM asked for re-tendering for purchasing copper sulphate from competitive companies.
GangaKalyana
When progress achieved in the district under GangaKalyana scheme came for discussion, MLAs Haratalu Halappa and Araga Jnanendra alleged that companies which bagged contracts for digging bore wells have left the work incomplete.
When issue of clearing the bills of erring companies was brought to the attention of the meet, DyCM instructed ZP CEO to initiate action against officials who have recommended for clearing the bill.
Referring to problems of land encroachment in the district, DyCM said that Forest and Revenue Department will be asked to conduct joint survey in this regard and submit report on the same. Small and marginal bagair hukum farmers will be allowed to continue cultivation but land encroached by rich will be recovered.
Reclaimed land will be used for development works, he informed.
Zilla Panchayat President Sharada Pooryanaik, Vice President Bhimaneri Shivappa, District incharge Secretary Siddaiah and others took part in the meet.