Bengaluru: Karnataka Revenue Minister RV Deshpande said on Wednesday the second list of drought-hit taluks will be announced in December last week during the state legislative session currently underway in Belagavi.
"From 2001 to 2018, except for four years, the state has been drought-hit for 14 years. Providing drinking water is the priority," Deshpande said.
In October, the government had declared 100 taluks in 24 districts drought-hit. Claiming that there was no lack of funds, the minister added Rs 50 lakh has been released so far for these taluks.
Reiterating that there are sufficient funds, Deshpande said, “Steps have been taken for the opening of fodder bank of 92,065 metric tonne to distribute to Raichur, Ballari and Yadagiri."
Questioning the claims, opposition leader BS Yeddyurappa asked whether these fodder banks were opened in the drought-hit taluks.
While BJP MLA Basavaraj Bommai also alleged that several other areas, other than the constituencies of the ruling party MLA’s, do face problems. He also accused Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy for his negligence to look into difficulties faced by the people.
The minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Krishna Byre Gowda said, "If necessary, private borewells should be taken out for rent with the respective tahsildar's permission. The government will then bear the expense of the borewells’ rent and electricity," he said.
Chief Minister’s Office said that Rs 1000 crore rupees have been released so far for drinking water projects in various panchayats.
Coastal Karnataka and Kodagu had seen excessive rainfall this year. While, other parts of the state like north Karnataka, Kolar, Chiakkabalapur saw deficient rainfall.
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