Bengaluru, Aug 24 (PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Monday portrayed a grim drought situation in the state as an effect of Super El Nino.
Speaking in the Legislative Council before it was adjourned sine die by the Chairman Saleem Ahmed, Parameshwara said 16,460 works under Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB G RAM G) were taken up, generating 65.1 lakh human days since July 1.
“This time, we have recorded the lowest rainfall from June 1 onwards in the last 50 years. From June 1 to August 24, the state should have received 654 mm of rainfall, but has received only 454 mm, resulting in a 31 per cent deficit,” the deputy CM, who holds Revenue portfolio, said.
The rainfall deficit is 31 per cent in north interior Karnataka, 41 per cent in south interior Karnataka, 35 per cent in Malnad and 26 per cent in the coastal region, he said.
Of the state’s 240 taluks, 175 are experiencing a rainfall deficit and 14 are facing a severe rainfall deficit, Parameshwara said.
Citing information provided by weather agencies based on data from satellites in India and around the world, he said Karnataka is likely to experience deficient rainfall during the remaining days of August and in September as well.
“In such a natural emergency, it is imperative that we all work together. I am making this statement with an appeal that we must collectively address the situation,” he said.
“To prevent migration due to drought, we have taken up 16,460 works under the VB G RAM G scheme and generated 65.1 lakh person-days since July 1. Most of these works are aimed at addressing the drought situation,” the Deputy CM said.
As of August 14, 71 per cent of sowing has been completed in the state. Against the target of sowing 84.10 lakh hectares, only 60 lakh hectares have been sown. The situation is similar in horticulture crops. Of the targeted 4.36 lakh hectares, sowing has taken place in only 2.45 lakh hectares, the Deputy CM said.
Even the crops that have been sown are not showing the expected growth due to inadequate rainfall. Farmers have been advised to cultivate short-duration varieties that can withstand the rainfall deficit, and seeds have been distributed to them, he added.
Parameshwara said the groundwater is under severe stress in 132 taluks of the state. There is apprehension that groundwater levels could decline further in the coming days.
Stating that the government is taking programmes to support groundwater development, he appealed to people to give priority to conserving groundwater.
The deputy CM said the situation is not encouraging in the reservoirs of the state and underlined that the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam on Cauvery in Mandya district has only 61 per cent of its capacity. Water storage in minor irrigation and Zilla Panchayat tanks is also negligible.
“Drinking water is being supplied through 149 tankers to 758 villages in the state. We have hired 714 private borewells. In urban areas, we are supplying water through tankers to 114 wards under 18 local bodies. Eighteen private borewells have also been hired there,” Parameshwara said.
He said the government has estimated that drinking water problems could arise in 2,059 gram panchayats next summer and accordingly suitable preparations have been made.
Speaking about the measures to prevent livestock from drought, he said the state has 152 lakh tonnes of fodder, which is sufficient for 33 weeks. There is enough fodder for 25 weeks in 44 taluks and for 20 weeks in 17 taluks.
“We have released Rs 25 crore to provide fodder seed kits to farmers who have access to water. KMF is also providing kits,” he added.
“Our government has already released Rs 117 crore to all 31 districts. In addition, we have released Rs 189 crore at the rate of Rs one crore per rural constituency. In total, Rs 306 crore has been released for drinking water purposes,” he said.
Parameshwara clarified that there is no shortage of funds to deal with the drought situation. He said the government is tackling the drought situation on a war footing.
Regarding the demand that drought be declared in the state, Parameshwara said the 2020 Drought Manual issued by the Central government is an obstacle to declaring drought immediately.
“We have completed ground-truthing in 102 eligible taluks. This will be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting, following which they will be declared drought-affected taluks. A memorandum will also be submitted to the Central government,” he said.
Since ground-truthing is a continuous process, the situation in the remaining taluks will be assessed, ground-truthing will be conducted and further action will be taken, he added.
Parameshwara noted that many guidelines in the new Drought Manual adopted by the Central government are not favourable to farmers. Hence, the state government wrote many letters to the Centre seeking relaxation of the guidelines.
In this regard, he appealed to the opposition members to support the state government on this issue.
He made a similar statement in the Legislative Assembly. PTI GMS GMS SA
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