Officials told to utilise funds effectively to tide over drought

Animal Husbandry and District in-charge Minister A Manju directed the officials to utilise the available funds effectively to mitigate drinking water woes in the affected villages.

Chairing over the quarterly Karnataka Development Programme review meeting here on Friday, Manju assured of providing sufficient funds to tackle drinking water problem in the district. Stern action would be taken against the officials, who fail to utilise the funds, he warned.

He said, the problem should not be allowed to turn worse, and urgent measures should be taken to supply water to the affected villages from any available source.

The bills of water tankers for more than 90 days should be audited by a local accountant and submitted to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already approved clearing pending bills, he said.

‘4k tonnes fodder required’
Dharmappa, Deputy Director for Animal Husbandry, said, the officials of the department and the gram panchayat authorities have conducted a survey, and a proposal has been submitted for procuring 4,000 tonnes of fodder. Grass is being grown on 400 acres of land and it requires 60 days for harvest, he said.

Not convinced by his reply, Manju told the officials, “When green fodder can be grown on 400 acres in Kolar, why not here,” he asked.

MLA K M Shivalingegowda pointed out that the goshalas opened in Arsikere taluk had to be closed as the animals were infected with diseases. “A fodder bank was promised, but no steps have been taken, so far. At least 50 tonnes of fodder should be procured and a fodder bank should be opened immediately.” The MLA said that he is finding it tough to face the people in the taluk. “The people greet me with protests. I am forced to keep my phones switched off,” he said.

Additional funds sought
MLAs H S Prakash, H K Kumaraswamy and C N Balakrishna explained about the gravity of drought in their constituencies and sought additional funds to tackle the problems. The estimation for drilling of borewells escalate as water is not available even after sinking as deep as 800 feet. The difference amount should be settled.

Steps should be taken to disburse crop insurance for the affected farmers on time, they said.

Manju asked the officials to identify lands for burial grounds. They should be developed under National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, he stressed.

He also directed the Revenue department officials to process the applications under Akrama-Sakrama scheme soon.

Zilla Panchayat president Shwetha Devaraju, vice president Srinivas, Deputy Commissioner V Chaitra and ZP CEO R Venkatesh Kumar were present.