Member accuses ZP of failing to tackle drought, warns of protest

'DC, ZP president aren't serious about opening goshalas'

The district administration and the Zilla Panchayat have totally failed in handling the drought in the district, alleged ZP member K R Mahesh Wadiyar.

Addressing media on Saturday, Wadiyar said, “Both, the deputy commissioner and the Zilla Panchayat president, have failed to ensure quick redress of woes related to drinking water and supply of fodder to the livestock during such situations. Although the ZP passed a resolution in this regard, the district administration is trying to shirk its responsibilities.”

Taking a dig at ZP president Chaitrashri Malathesh, Wadiyar questioned her failure to bring the severity of the situation to the notice of either District In-charge Minister Dr G Parameshwara or Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa. “Where was the president when Kagodu Thimmappa was chairing a meeting convened to review the progress in works related to drought relief. Was she not aware of the seriousness of the meeting?” he questioned.

He blamed the president for not leading the all-party delegation to the chief minister to exert pressure on the government and also bring funds to the district. “Except for writing a letter to the government following a serious discussion on opening of goshalas and management of drought, the president has failed to discharge her duties effectively,” he criticised.

“Kadur taluk has been reeling under drought for consecutive four years. The livestock are in distress while the deputy commissioner is waiting for the decision of taskforce committee headed by the local MLA to move forward in this regard,” said Wadiyar.

The Kadur MLA Y S V Datta’s attitude is similarly nonchalant, Wadiyar said adding, “Datta is taking refuge under the plank that the government itself is not interested in opening goshalas.”

Wadiyar reiterated that he would launch a protest along with other party members outside the deputy commissioner’s office on April 15, if the Zilla Panchayat vice president Ramaswamy fails to keep his word on opening goshalas within a period of two days.

Replying to a question, Wadiyar denied that the government has failed to tackle drought, but put the blame on both the Zilla Panchayat and the district administration for failing to rise up to the situation.