Will submit drinking water project for approval, says DC

A proposal on integrated drinking water project will be submitted to the state government for approval to provide permanent drinking water facilities in the district, said Deputy Commissioner G Satyavathi.

She said on Tuesday that although five rivers take birth here, the district faces acute water shortage. To mitigate the water woes, the district administration has decided to tap the available water, thereby providing drinking water facilities by preparing a proposal on multi-village drinking water schemes and others.

“The Yagachi reservoir engineer told the regional commissioner that if 9.3 cusecs water is drawn from the reservoir, it would be sufficient to supply water to Chikkamagaluru town till August. However, we had objected to the proposal on supplying water of the reservoir to Hassan. If the water is released to the Halavagilu canal, then the water will not reach the end point, which is 35 km away. There are farmers’ pump sets in the canal. As a result, if the water is released, drinking water would enter the farm land. The district administration had even demanded 0.01 TMC water that is due to Chikkamagaluru,” she said.

Kadur taluk has already been included in red category list for over exploitation of groundwater. It has been proposed to supply water through multi village drinking water scheme to this part of the district, she said. Already water is being supplied to 87 villages through tankers. A sum of Rs 1.46 crore has been utilised for water supply through tankers.

Loss of crops
Stating that the agriculture and revenue officials have conducted a joint survey to assess the loss of crops following deficit rainfall, the DC said crops on 1.45 lakh acre have been damaged. “To avail of the compensation, farmers have to register their names. Already, compensation has been credited to the accounts of 1.44 lakh farmers. As Aadhaar numbers of 30,000 farmers are not linked to their bank accounts, the input subsidy could not be paid to the farmers. The farmers should complete the process of linking their bank accounts with Aadhaar numbers by March 10, to avail of the compensation amount,” she appealed.

Following shortage of fodder, there is a demand to open a goshala in a few areas in the district. There is also demand for quality fodder. The cattle in the goshala opened in Hassan have been infected with foot and mouth disease. Hence, the goshala have been closed down. There are six fodder distribution centres in Chikkamagaluru and 10 in Kadur taluk. The fodder is being purchased from Shikaripura, Shiralakoppa for distribution. About 456 tonne fodder has been distributed among 7,000 applicants so far, she said.

“As an alternative to purchase of fodder from outside, it has been decided to distribute 12,467 mini kits to grow fodder in the district. Already 6,000 kits have been distributed among farmers who have irrigation facilities. About 50 tonne fodder cultivated on social forestry land is ready for harvest,” she said.

ZP CEO Dr R Ragapriya said the state government has directed to utilise the available fund under 14th Finance Commission to mitigate the drinking water woes. In a joint press meet with DC, she said water woes in 249 villages have been solved. In addition, two borewells have been taken on rent for the supply of water by paying the rent amount to the farmers who own the borewells. Private 10 borewells in Chikkamagaluru taluk, 10 in Tarikere and 15 in Kadur taluk would be taken on rent to supply water, she added.