125 taluks drought-hit, says CM

A micro-level count and assessment undertaken by the State has revealed that a total of 10,106 habitats in the state are drought affected.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that water was being supplied in tankers to 1,086 villages, following severe shortage of drinking water.

Speaking to reporters post a review meeting with top government officials and district in-charge secretaries about the water scenario and fodder availability in the State, he said: “In all, 125 taluks in the State have been declared drought-hit over the last few months. Tumkur has the highest number of drought-hit habitats (1,400), followed by Belgaum (1,249) and Bellary (1,012).”

Siddaramaiah said that there was no dearth of funds to mitigate the drinking water crisis. “The Rural Development department had released Rs 516 crore for drinking water schemes.

A special grant of Rs 100 crore had been released for drilling new borewells. Control rooms had been set up at taluk, district and state levels to receive complaints pertaining to drinking water.

As many as 2,000 borewells had been electrified during the last week and 1,500 others would be electrified soon.”

The chief minister added that the fodder situation in the State was better as there is stock enough to last for an average of 22 weeks.

All deputy commissioners have been directed to open “Go Shalas” if necessary.