Water supply is immediate priority in drought-hit Karnataka: R V Deshpande

Revenue Minister R V Deshpande has issued strict directives to the state officers to ensure availability of sufficient drinking water to people and cattle in the state. The minister chairs the cabinet sub-committee on drought.

In the backdrop of Karnataka reeling under severe drought, the minister who held a meeting with the officials on Tuesday directed them to immediately release input subsidy under “Parihara” scheme to the distressed farmers. He also asked the officials to continuously monitor the water supply to people and cattle in districts that are facing acute water scarcity. He said the priority should be given to hiring private borewells over drilling new borewells.

“Besides, I have directed mandatory payment of pending water bills every 15 days, installation of GPS to water tankers to avoid misuse, and to give priority to open fodder banks and encourage non-profits to open goshala,” Deshpande said.


Meanwhile, the government has also imposed restriction on inter-state movement of fodder till July 31.

After parts of the state experiencing floods last year, the state government has decided to place two teams of National Disaster Relief Force in Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada from May 25th. The teams are expected to swiftly respond to any emergency during the South West monsoon.