600 villages in State facing severe drinking water shortage, says H K Patil

 As many as 600 villages spread across 20 taluks in the State are facing severe drinking water shortage and the government is taking steps to mitigate the crisis, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Patil said rural pockets in the districts of Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Belagavi and Davangere were facing drinking water crisis and arrangements had been made to supply water through tankers.

Grants to the tune of Rs 534 crore had been made available to the zilla panchayats for drinking water schemes.

Priority has been accorded to sink new borewells, hydro-fracturing, repair of pumps, motors and energisation of borewells.

An estimated 6,000 borewells in the State have gone defunct, he added.
Patil said satellite imageries of water bodies in the State and also topography charts available with the Indian Space Research Organisation would be sought and utilised for groundwater rejuvenation.

A toll-free number 1800-425-8666 would be activated soon for lodging complaints about drinking water supply and shortage in rural areas, he said.

Panchayat executive officers have been appointed nodal officers to monitor drinking water positions in their respective jurisdiction, he said.