BELAGAVI: Take over all the live private borewells located in and around the drought-hit areas on rental basis and sort out the water problem in the areas, instructed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday.
He warned that the DC and ZP CEO will be held responsible if any complaints are received that people or cattle are facing shortage of drinking water.
Siddaramaiah addressed a review meeting after his visit to drought-hit areas in Belagavi. He asked the MLAs to utilise the MLA Fund in handling the drought situation in their constituencies.
Siddaramaiah said it is learnt that due to the low rate paid, the contractors drilling borewells and supplying water through tankers are not ready to take up government works. He promised them that the government will hike the rates.
He instructed officials to provide jobs to all approaching them under MGNREGA. He told them not to use machineries for works under MGNREGA, except digging the soil and loading in goods carrier.
The meeting decided to establish fodder banks in whichever area there is a dearth. Siddaramaiah said that people should not face dearth of medicines, warning the District Health Officer that he would be held responsible if the government comes across any such complaint.
Khanapur MLA Arvind Patil said most of the water sources have been closed due to drought and the ground water level has dropped drastically. “Even to pump water people face power supply problems. Five villages in my constituency do not get power supply,” he said.
Hubballi/Dharwad: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is touring North Karnataka on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, nothing much can be expected from his visit, apart from some activities in the administrative machinery. The real expectation from Siddaramiah’s visit to Dharwad district on Tuesday is a permanent solution to the drinking water problem in the villages. Another issue the CM can touch upon is harvesting rainwater. Water conservationists are cautioning worse days ahead if the state fails to make water harvesting mandatory. The government has policies in this regard, but focus should be on their implementation.