BSY justifies State govt's relief measures

Gathering info: Former CM visits drought-affected areas in Kolar district

Sinking borewells is not an answer to address severe drinking water crisis in the district, said former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

“Instead, a permanent solution must be evolved and the State government is making all efforts to ensure drinking water to the citizens here,” he added.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, after visiting Ammerahalli tank as part of his tour to drought-hit areas he said the tank which is very old has been encroached upon. Although, encroachments are being cleared, it must be done quickly to restore the tank, the main water source to the town, he added.

Yeddyurappa said under the Food for Work (Kooligagi Kalu) scheme, it is impossible to remove silt under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Instead, machines should be used to remove the silt to help the tank store water during monsoon. Villagers have submitted a memorandum in this regard and it will be looked into , he added.
Yaragol project

“Rs 250 crore was released during my time for the Yaragol project. Pipelines are being laid at a cost of Rs 80 crore. But some of the works have been pending as it requires permission from the Forest Department,” said Yeddyurappa. The State government must take up the issue at the earliest, he observed.

With regard to the Ettinahole project, Yeddyurappa reminded the government has already released the fund for the project. There is a proposal to supply water to dryland areas from Nethravati, under the project. Lack of any drinking water project that can ensure regular water supply in the region has also aggravated the crisis.

The land of gold needs water and the government is committed to ensure the same and it is not just a promise,  he added.

‘No pumpsets’

During his visit to Doddahasal, the residents told him that a borewell has been sunk in the village by collecting money from the residents and wanted the district administration to install a motor pump to it. At this, Yeddyurappa directed Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena to consider this.
ZP CEO P Rajendra Cholan and Tahsildar Muniveerappa were present.

He was accompanied by Karnataka Vidyut Karkhane chairman Venkatamuniyappa, Member of Legislative Council D S Veeraiah, legislator M Narayanaswamy and BJP district unit president N Lakshmaiah.