Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 28: In a release, Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner (DC) has clarified that so far, no order to register criminal cases against those using water from Netravati river from January onward has been issued so far. He however, added that a few decisions were taken at a meeting presided over by him on November 5, to take precautionary measures to ensure that drinking water shortage is not faced during the coming summer.

"It was decided that barring horticultural crops, water from river bed and vented dams should not be used for other agricultural use between January and May. The meeting decided that the concerned assistant commissioners and tahsildars should hold meetings with farmers from their areas to educate them properly on this issue," he stated.

Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd was authorized to disconnect electricity supply to pump sets which are used to pump water to agricultural crops other than horticulture. This decision was taken at the request of local administrations, he added.

The press release issued by the office of the DC asserted that no decision or order was passed about registration of criminal cases against violators of the above instruction relating to use of river water from January 1 onward.