Siddaramaiah government not doing enough to tackle drought: Opposition

BENGALURU: Accusing the Siddaramaiah dispensation of having no action plan to counter the drought situation in the state, Opposition in the Legislative Assembly today said the government was as good as "not alive" and that the people of the state had lost faith in it.

BJP and JD(S) members said government had declared 136 taluks as drought affected, but not taken "effective" steps in addressing the issues faced by people, specially farmers.

They also demanded answers from the government regarding steps taken by it, as over 800 farmers have committed suicide in the past few months in the state so far.

As the House met, BJP demanded that question hour be suspended and discussion on drought situation be taken up.

JD(S) members entered the well of the House demanding discussion on the Kalasa-Banduri issue, which they later withdrew agreeing that both issues can be taken up together as they are inter-related.

The Kalasa-Banduri Nala (diversion) project, which will utilise 7.56 tmcft of water from the inter-state Mahadayi river, is being undertaken by Karnataka to improve drinking water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the districts of Belagavi and Gadag.

It involves building barrages across Kalasa and Banduri, tributaries of Mahadayi river, to divert 7.56 TMC to Malaprabha river which supplies drinking water needs of the twin cities.

Law Minister TB Jayachandra said the government is ready to discuss drought and it is one of the primary reasons for calling the session.

As repeated appeals by Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa for co-operation in conducting the proceedings went in vain, he allowed leaders who have sent notice for discussion to make a preliminary submission and said he would allow discussion after question hour.

During his preliminary submission BJP leader Govinda Karajola highlighted the gravity of drought situation.

Accusing government of not spending enough to mitigate drought situation, he said it lacks basic agenda to fight drought. "Neither officials nor Ministers or the Chief Minister have properly visited affected villages to analyse the situation. Government is not alive," he added.

Noting that people have "lost faith" in the government, Karajola demand that it at least now start taking effective steps to address the situation.

JD(S) leader Y S V Datta said "farmer suicides have crossed the 800 mark and is about reach 1,000; 136 taluks have been declared drought hit, but still government is not spending enough towards drought relief measures."

"There is no proper action plan by government to fight drought," he added.

After preliminary submission, the Speaker took up the question hour and zero hour post which he allowed the discussion on drought.