The State government had sanctioned ₹. 24 crore out of total allotment of ₹.112 crore for the district to undertake drought relief measures and provide compensation to farmers in drought affected areas, said Forest Minister C. Srinivasan.
Addressing a review meeting on drought relief held here on Thursday, he said that additional funds would be sanctioned soon to meet the drinking water crisis. The officials should not bother about funds and expedite relief work. They should detect new water sources to meet the crisis.
At the same time, they should also identify permanent sources as a long term measure for sustainable drinking water supply, he added.
Reacting to complaint on frequent breaches in Cauvery drinking water pipeline, he advised officials to rectify defects immediately to prevent wastage of water. The PWD, TWAD and other lines departments should work together to solve the drinking water crisis.
Already ₹.74.09 crore had been disbursed through electronic fund transfer to 1.4 lakh farmers in the district, he pointed out.
False information
Former Revenue Minister I. Periyasamy alleged that hundreds of villages were reeling under acute water crisis. He said the Cauvery Drinking water scheme was not functioning properly. The officials gave false information to the government and did not reveal ground realities. Water supply was not made even once in 10 days in Dindigul. Lack of concerted efforts was behind such a pathetic situation. Water crisis was acute in Vedasandur, Athoor, Natham, Reddiyarchatram and Thoppmpatti unions, he had stated.
TWAD Board Managing Director Dheeraj Kumar and Monitoring Officer (drought relief) Mangath Ram Sharma, Collector T.G. Vinay took part.
