'Govt has failed to use funds to tackle drought'

Gowda could have led an all-party delegation to PM and explained the situation

The drought situation has been there in the State for the past six months. However, the government has failed to initiate action to solve problems of the people in the drought affected taluks, said KPCC president G Parameshwara.

A drought inspection team headed by Parameshwara visited the district to take stock of the drought situation.Addressing the mediapersons here on Wednesday, he said the State government had failed completely in utilising the funds sanctioned by the Centre and the drought situation in the State.

The Centre has been sanctioning funds to the State in time, to tackle drought. Crores of rupees have also been sanctioned from Natural Calamities Relief Fund to the State government to handle the drought situation.

However, the BJP-ruled government instead of utilising the funds, has levelled charges against Centre. Further it is continuously submitting proposals seeking more funds, he added.

Parameshwara said the drought situation, which was getting worse with every passing day and problems faced by the people in rural areas had been brought to the notice of the government several times. The issue was also raised in the Legislative Sessions and even protest was staged over the government’s laxity and negligence. However, the government has not bothered to change its style of functioning, he added.

Trivial excuses

“The government by giving trivial excuses is shying away from its responsibilities,” he added.
Parameshwara added that Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda should have called an all-party meeting, taking into confidence Opposition party leaders. Gowda by taking the suggestions of the parties and the leaders could have faced the drought situation boldly, he added.

Gowda could have led an all-party delegation to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and explained in detail the drought situation in the State, he added. The Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts have been severely affected by the water crisis. People trek miles together to fetch drinking water in the region.

The crisis is aggravating every day. The government should take steps to solve the water problem, Parameshwara said.

Three teams

Former minister Basavaraj Rayareddy said three drought inspection teams had been formed under Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Motamma and KPCC president G Parameshwara.

The teams will visit the regions affected by drought in the State, analyse the problems faced by the people and will submit a detailed report which in turn will be submitted to AICC president Sonia Gandhi, he added.

Legislators V Muniyappa, N H Shivashankar Reddy, KPCC members Govindaraju, Nafees Fathima, Dr K Sudhakar, K V Naveen Kiran, Congress district unit president M Anjanappa and others were present on the occasion.