JOIN USTeam of experts to be formed to survey tanks in district
A team of local experts will analyse the situation of water tanks in the district and help plan the rejuvenation of the tanks, said Deputy Commissioner Dr D S Vishwanath.
“Separate projects will be prepared for tanks in rural and urban areas. The report of the team will be submitted to the government for further action,” he added.
Addressing the media at his office on Saturday he said, “Water tanks in urban areas will be developed with available resources in the district as the number of tanks is pretty small. In contrast, since the number is larger in rural areas, we need help of the government. A report on the water tanks in urban areas will be submitted in two to three weeks.”
“D Ranga Reddy, Central Irrigation Commission convening officer and inspecting Engineer, who visited the district on May 15 to inspect the drought situation, expressed surprise over crores of rupees being spent for desilting water tanks and also objected to it,” said the Deputy Commissioner and added that it was a natural reaction.
“Development of tanks is necessary in order to maintain local water sources and overcome the drought in the district.”
100 temple tanks
The administration has already decided to develop up to 100 temple tanks (kalyanis) in the district under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, said Vishwanath.
The chief executive officer of the Zilla Panchayat has already instructed subordinate officers on the matter. “Rejuvenating temple tanks will help us harvest drinking water,” he added.
Drought relief
The district has incurred losses up to Rs 217 crore because of the drought.
“The agricultural loss in the district has been Rs 79 crore, horticultural is Rs 109 crore, fisheries is Rs 13 crore and sericulture is Rs 16 crore.
We will get only Rs 27 crore from the natural disaster relief fund. Since the rules for 2010-15 have been amended by the 13th Finance Commission, funds will be released going by the new rules. The loss in agriculture will be approximated by a harvest survey,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
Manure and seeds
Pre-monsoon shower has set in and sowing seeds - including ragi, rice and tur - and manure necessary for agricultural activities have been kept in stock, said Vishwanath.
“Officers in the Agriculture Department have been instructed to prepare posters informing that seeds will be distributed at subsidised rates. The posters will be advertised at village, hobli and taluk levels,” he added.
The officers have also been instructed to ensure no transport charges are collected from farmers purchasing manure. Action will be taken against sellers who collect charges, he warned.
“The matter of construction of compound walls without licence in regions near Hosalli, Paparajanahalli and other places on Teralli Hills will be investigated. Information will also be collected from the Forest Department,” assured Vishwanath.