Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education and district in-charge Kimmane Ratnakar has directed officials of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj to explore the possibilities of finding a permanent solution to the drinking water problem in rural areas by properly using surface water sources. The Tunga, Bhadra and Varada rivers flow through Shimoga, he said, adding that it was unfortunate that despite this a major part of the district would be gripped by a drinking water problem.
Officials should design proper plans for sustainable and scientific utilisation of river water to address this problem, he said at a progress review meeting here on Friday. Zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer Sasikanth Senthil told the meeting that an amount of Rs. 21.58 crore was sought from the government to address the drinking water problem in the district, of which Rs. 8.87 crore had been released so far. Places that could see a water crisis have been identified.
The zilla panchayat has made the necessary arrangements to deal with these situations, the officer added.
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Mr. Ratnakar also directed officials of the Department of Health and Family Welfare to ensure that laboratory investigations of blood samples of persons suspected to be suffering from Kyasanur Forest Disease, also known as monkey fever, were done in an expedited manner.