Cloud seeding next month for rain: CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the state government is contemplating cloud seeding next month to induce rain as the southwest monsoon is getting weaker.

Speaking to mediapersons, near his house in T K Layout in the city on Saturday, he said, “I hope it will rain this week. However, tenders have been already invited for cloud seeding as a precautionary measure.”

Asked about expanding his Cabinet, he said the Cabinet would be expanded soon but when and how is yet to be decided.

To a question on former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s comments about grooming his son Dr Yatheendra for the next election, Siddaramaiah said, “Everybody in the state knows which is the father-sons party. I have been in politics for 40 years. Is anybody in my family an MLA? But how many people in former prime minister H D Deve Gowda’s family are MLAs?” he questioned.

He assured the former residents of Aralikattehundi village in Nanjangud taluk of rehabilitation if they returned. Representatives of the village met him and sought construction of 109 houses and steps to rejuvenate two lakes in the village. A section of the media had recently reported the mass exodus from the village.

Siddaramaiah said, “Who told you that the villagers  migrated recently? They migrated some 30 years ago. If they are willing to return to their native village, all facilities will be provided.”