Siddu tours drought-hit areas

Takes a dig at state government for failing to utilise Central funds

The state government has failed in tackling drought. It should take adequate steps to help the people overcome the sufferings.

Otherwise the Congress party would be forced to take to the streets to draw the attention of the government towards the issue, said Opposition Leader in the state Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah.

He was addressing media persons while touring drought-hit areas in the taluk, along with his party colleagues, on Tuesday.

Stating that inspection tours should be conducted by the chief minister or the ministers concerned, he questioned who was B S Yeddyurappa to go on a tour. “In Hanur, crackers were burst when Yeddyurappa came. He inaugurated his party office. He did not visit the place to listen to the grievances of the people.

It was just a publicity gimmick,” he said.

Regretting the closure of some goshalas over the past fortnight, he directed the officials to ensure that each cattle gets 15 kgs of green fodder and 10 kgs of dry fodder daily along with water.

He alleged that the state government has failed to make good use of the funds sanctioned by the Centre. “The state has also not implemented the rural employment guarantee schemes properly,” he added. The Opposition Leader was flooded with complaints at all villages he visited.

People aired their grievances that they were not getting work, cattle was not getting fodder, drinking water was scarce, etc, at Idakalli, Hanur, Jinakanahalli, Naripura, Palya Doddinduvadi, R S Doddi, Kandiahnapalya, Lakkarasanapalya, etc.

Some villagers urged that steps be taken to develop the lakes and other water bodies. Explaining the plight of the farmers, ex-president of zilla panchayat K K Nataraju said seeds and fertilisers should be provided at concessional rates.

Siddaramaiah directed tahsildar Suresh Kumar and veterinary officer Dr Prakash to take measures to buy failed sugarcane crops to be provided as fodder for cattle.

Opposition leader in the Legislative Council Motamma, MLAs Narendra, Puttarangashetty and H S Mahadevaprasad, district in-charge secretary Basavaraju, zilla panchayat president Rajeshwari, vice-president Eshwar, member Koppali Mahadevanayak and others were part of the tour party.