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Ensure that no hardship is caused to people or livestock: Dr. G. Parameshwara
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, on Sunday, issued directions during a video conference chaired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at the Vidhana Soudha Conference Hall.
The meeting, attended by all Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats, reviewed the state’s drought situation, drinking water supply, fodder availability for livestock, agriculture, economic activities, and employment.
Dr. Parameshwara said that the meeting convened by the Chief Minister was of utmost importance, as Karnataka is witnessing a severe drought. He explained that El Niño conditions have led to an increase of about 2°C in sea surface temperatures, while temperatures across the state have risen by 4–6°C. Karnataka has recorded an overall 68% rainfall deficit, with some regions experiencing up to 48% deficiency, resulting in severe drought conditions across many taluks.
He said official data indicates that groundwater levels have fallen by around 4 metres in 88 taluks. With rainfall remaining far below normal and reservoir levels declining sharply, he warned that the situation could deteriorate further in the coming days.
Highlighting the drinking water crisis, he said the number of villages dependent on tanker water supply is increasing every day. MLAs have submitted requests for drilling new borewells, and the Chief Minister has personally reviewed the drought situation in Belagavi and Kalaburagi. Dr. Parameshwara stressed that drinking water must be given the highest priority and reiterated the Chief Minister’s direction that reservoir water should not be released for irrigation. He urged all officials to respond to the situation with urgency and efficiency.
He noted that in many places, drinking water is being supplied only once a week and that drilling borewells does not guarantee water availability. Therefore, wherever borewells are successful, motor pumps and electricity connections should be provided immediately. He also pointed out that ₹329 crore is available in the PD accounts of Deputy Commissioners and instructed officials to utilise these funds effectively to avoid further hardship.
Expressing concern over migration, Dr. Parameshwara said people from districts such as Ballari, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir and Vijayanagara are migrating in search of work. He directed officials to immediately begin works under the VBGRAMG Scheme to generate employment. He observed that only 20 Gram Panchayats in Vijayapura have started implementation and instructed all Zilla Panchayat CEOs to treat the matter with utmost seriousness.
He further pointed out that, except in four or five districts, work under the scheme has not commenced in most parts of the state. Of nearly 5,000 Gram Panchayats, 2,443 have not yet started works under the programme. He added that 75 taluks have experienced dry weather for four consecutive weeks and directed officials to submit a report to the Central Government. He also instructed them to undertake ground-truthing, which would help the State Government take timely and appropriate action.
Dr. Parameshwara advised officials to discourage the cultivation of water-intensive crops such as maize and sugarcane during the drought. He also highlighted the worsening fodder shortage, noting that neighbouring states are facing similar drought conditions. He directed the Animal Husbandry Department to distribute fodder seeds to farmers who have access to water sources and to procure fodder from farmers who have cultivated it, ensuring adequate feed for livestock.
He said the State Government is treating the drought situation with the utmost seriousness and urged all officials to do the same. He pointed out that in 2023, adequate reservoir storage had helped mitigate the impact of drought, but this year reservoir levels are critically low. He directed that decisions regarding borewell drilling should be taken through the district Task Force and instructed that Task Force meetings be held every week.
Concluding the meeting, Dr. Parameshwara expressed concern that arecanut plantations are drying up and referred to the reported suicide of a farmer in Tumakuru the previous day. He instructed officials to act immediately and ensure that such tragic incidents do not recur.
