Cabinet reshuffle put off due to drought, says CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the proposed Cabinet expansion and reshuffle has been postponed by a month due to the prevailing drought in the state.

Siddaramaiah told reporters after reviewing the drought situation and relief works in Belagavi district at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Monday that once the drought eases, he would visit Delhi to get a green signal for the expansion from the party high command. To a query on persisting demands for a Cabinet expansion and reshuffle and on senior legislators pressing for their inclusion in place of “incompetent” ministers, Siddaramaiah said, “All ministers in my government are efficient.”

In view of the acute water shortage, the district’s legislators urged the chief minister to arrive at a compromise formula with Maharashtra for water release from its reservoirs in dire situations. Under the formula, both states can release water in equal quantities from their respective reservoirs at times of distress.

Several taluks in Belagavi are totally dependent on River Krishna for their water needs while Maharashtra has been demanding release of water from Almatti Dam to the meet the needs of Jat, Solapur and others towns in Maharashtra.

Siddaramiah said necessary steps would be taken to facilitate a discussion between officials of both states. In connection with the demand for taking a delegation to Maharashtra to impress upon it to release the rest of the 3 tmcft of water, he said he has written and even spoken to his counterpart in Maharashtra seeking release of water. Soon after they get an appointment, a delegation will be taken there, he said.  

Siddaramaiah also rubbished remarks of former chief minister Jagadish Shettar who had termed his tour of drought-hit areas an eye-wash.