BENGALURU: The State cabinet on Thursday discussed the impending drought situation in the state due to scanty rain. After the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he has instructed his 13 ministers to visit all 31 districts and conduct review meetings.
“I, too, will tour all four administrative divisions and review the situation on the ground,” he said, briefing the media.” The PM has already issued a strong warning. There is a possibility of a severe shortage of both water and electricity across the country due to the prevailing weather conditions. At present, reservoirs such as Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Almatti, Narayanpur and Vanivilas Sagar are recording zero inflow,” he remarked.
“Even in the Cauvery basin, inflow has reduced drastically. Last year, Hemavathi had 88tmcft of water, but today it has come down to 40tmcft. KRS had 100tmcft last year, whereas today it is at 22tmcft; Kabini had 79tmcft but it is now at 26tmcft. Overall, reservoir inflows have fallen to just 20 per cent,” he elaborated.
15-day monsoon session in August after SIR
“This is a matter of serious concern. I appeal to farmers not to sow crops relying solely on reservoir water. If there is no water, we will not be able to release water for irrigation,” Shivakumar warned. He suggested that farmers should decide on raising water-intensive crops based on the progress of the monsoon and until reservoirs are adequately filled. Terming it a major concern across the country, he hoped for good rainfall during the rest of the season so that water can be released for agriculture.
The Centre has warned about the possibility of a severe drought in the country, Shivakumar said, adding that he has already directed departments to stock adequate coal and other essential resources to ensure there is no shortage. A gas-based power facility in Bengaluru will also be kept ready for use if required,” he said.
The CM said the cabinet has decided to hold a 15-day monsoon session of joint legislature in August, though it is usually convened in July, after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The process will conclude with the announcement of the draft roll on August 5, and until then, MLAs and officials will be engaged in ensuring that eligible voters remain on the electoral rolls in their respective constituencies, he reasoned. “Leaders from all political parties are also occupied with this exercise, and we don’t want to disturb them. I will fix a date for the Assembly session, either in the first or second week of August,” he said. Shivakumar stressed BLOs are required to deliver the forms at doorsteps, and no MLA or political party worker is authorised to distribute them. BLOs must visit each household and make three attempts if the voter is unavailable, and political parties may assist through their Booth Level Agents, but actual distribution of forms must be done only by BLOs, he said.
‘Prajaseva’ to address woes
The CM said ‘Prajaseva’, a new department set up to address public grievances, will have a designated minister. He instructed all ministers to hold grievance meetings twice a month in every assembly constituency on the first and third Saturdays along with the MLAs concerned.
The department will serve as a platform for people to present their problems, including those raised through protests, and will resolve public issues and ensure the concerns are communicated to the appropriate departments and officials. “Wherever protests take place, ministers and officers will receive applications, and wherever legally permissible, process them and provide assistance. The grievances will then be forwarded to the department,” he elaborated.
Harsh Gupta, Chairman, Karnataka Appellate Tribunal, Bengaluru, was posted as principal secretary, Prajaseva department. He will also hold concurrent charge of the post of KAT Chairman.
