Notices will be slapped on absentee officials: ZP chief

Zilla Panchayat president Shwetha Devaraj has warned that the officials who skips meetings or do not attend meetings on time will be slapped with notices. At the monthly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) progress review meeting, she was appalled to find some seats vacant even after the meeting had begun.

Addressing the meeting here on Wednesday, the ZP president directed officials to repair defunct borewells to tackle drinking water shortage in the district.

The ZP president said the district is facing its worst drought this year and as compared to the previous years, there is no sufficient drinking water for people and cattle. She directed officials to take measures to repair defunct borewells so that they can be used.

She sought grants under the 14th State Finance Commission to sink new borewells. She directed officials to provide power free of cost to private borewell owners supplying drinking water to parched villages.

Crop insurance

With regard to compensation, an Agriculture officer said a proposal for Rs 115 crore had been submitted to the Centre and the list of farmers who are covered under crop insurance has been prepared. The compensation amount would be remitted to their accounts once the funds are released, he said.

Fodder

Dharmappa, Assistant Director of department of Animal Husbandry, explained that Rs 20 lakh had been released for drought-relief works. Five goshalas had been opened in the district to provide fodder for cattle, he said and mentioned that there are plans to open another goshala at Arkalgud soon. He emphasised on the need for a goshala in every Grama Panchayat.

21 malaria cases

District Health Officer Dr Venkatesh said that while tuberculosis and polio are under control, 21 malaria cases had been reported in the district. Blood banks will be opened at Hirisave, Sakleshpur and Alur soon, he said. ZP CEO Venkatesh Kumar was also present at the meeting.