Cabinet reshuffle put off owing to drought, says Siddaramaiah

In view of the severe drought in the State, the much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle as well as the third anniversary celebrations of the Congress government will be put off. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made this clear while speaking to reporters after arriving at Mysuru airport on Friday.

He said he had planned to reshuffle the State Cabinet this month. “It will not happen this month,” he said, and added that the Cabinet reshuffle can take place only after the State receives rains and tides over the grim drought situation.

He said he would go to New Delhi, ostensibly to discuss Cabinet reshuffle, only after visiting drought-hit regions in the State.

Pointing out that he had visited seven drought-hit districts so far and would continue the visits in the coming days, Mr. Siddaramaiah said attending to the situation arising out of drought in the State had become the government’s priority and not reconstitution of the Cabinet.

Four Ministerial teams were touring the drought-hit regions assigned to them.

The Ministers have been instructed to resolve the problems faced by farmers on account of drought, on the spot, said Mr. Siddaramaiah, and added that priority was to ensure drinking water, fodder, and creation of employment.

The State government submitted a memorandum to the Union government in January seeking a assistance of Rs. 1,414 crore.

The State government had spent about Rs. 350 crore from its own funds to meet the drinking water needs.