Bangalore: 69 Taluks in 20 Districts Drought-affected, says Govt
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Oct 4: Even as the people of the entire State are immersed in Dasara festivities and getting ready for Deepavali and Rajyothsava celebrations, the State Government has come out with bad news by declaring as many as 69 out of the 176 taluks from 20 districts as drought-affected.
A high level meeting presided over by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday declared 69 taluks as drought hit and directed the district administration officials to take up drought relief works, including supply of drinking water.
Under the guidelines issued in 2004, the area which has received less than the average rainfall with a continuous dry spell for four weeks, would be declared as drought hit.
"Accordingly, barring the irrigated areas, the rest of the area in the 69 taluks has been declared as drought affected where relief measures will be taken up immediately," said an official release.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee formed under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister would meet as and when required and take stock of the drought situation.
A detailed memorandum on the situation would be submitted to the Centre soon seeking relief and the memorandum was currently under preparation.
In the last three days, widespread rains have been received all over the State including the drought-hit taluks showing signs of improvement in the situation, said the release.
The State Government has released Rs.40 crore towards drought relief operations so far.
While Rs.11 crore was released in April, Rs.29 crore has been released during September.
"A sum of Rs.126 crore is available with the Deputy Commissioners and there is no dearth of funds for drought relief works,” the note said.
The Government has already instructed the Deputy Commissioners of drought hit districts including Chitradurga to start cattle camps (Goshalas) and stock fodder wherever required. Transportation of fodder would be permitted in the drought hit areas.
The drought affected taluks are: Channapatna and Kanakapura in Ramanagram; Bangarpet, Kolar and Srinivaspur in Chikballapur; Kunigal, Madhugiri, Pavagada, Sira and Tumkur in Tumkur district; Challakere, Chitradurga, Hosadurga, and Molakalmuru in Chitradurga; Chamarajangar, Gundlupet, Kollegal and Yelandur in Chamarajangar; KR Nagar, Nanjangud, and T Narasipura in Mysore; K R Pet, Maddur, Malavalli, Mandya and Nagamangala in Mandya; Bellary, Hospet, Hagaribommanahalli, Kudligi, Sandur and Siraguppa in Bellary; Gangavathi, Koppal, Kushtagi, Yalburga in Koppal; Devadurga, Lingsugur, Manvi, Raichur, and Sindhanur in Raichur; Afzalpur, Aland, Chincholi, Chittapur, Gulbarga, Jewargi and Sedam in Gulbarga; Shahapur and Shorapur in Yadgir; Bilagi, Jamakandi and Mudhol in Bagalkot, Bidar taluk in Bidar district; Basavanabagewadi, Bijapur, Indi, Sindgi in Bijapur, Gadag and Mundargi in Gadag district; Navalgund in Dhawad; Arasikere, Channarayapatna, Hassan and Holenarasipura in Hassan and Kadur in Chikmagalur district.