JOIN USThe government has sanctioned Rs 38 crore for sinking new borewells to mitigate the drinking water scarcity in the wake of drought situation in several parts of the State, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Replying to an issue raised by Leader of the Opposition H D Kumaraswamy, Patil said instructions had also been issued to deputy commissioners to relax norms on a case-by-case basis to utilise Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) grants for sinking borewells. He said there was no dearth of funds for providing drinking water. All deputy commissioners had been instructed to treat drinking water issues on a priority basis, he said.
Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad said deputy commissioners would be held responsible if they fail to respond to the drinking water woes. Co-operation Minister H S Mahadeva Prasad said the government will soon release Rs 200 crore to meet the requirements for crop waiver scheme announced by the previous government.