Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology and Koppal district in-charge R. Shankar has directed the officials of the Revenue and Agriculture departments to undertake joint survey to assess the loss of crop during the current kharif season and submit a report.
Presiding over a quarterly review meeting of Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) here on Monday, Mr. Shankar said that due to the failure of rain, around 90 % of the crop cultivated in 2.52 lakh hectares had suffered loss and the State government had declared all the four taluks in the district as drought-hit.
Following concern expressed by MP Karadi Sanganna and legislators Paranna Munvalli, Amaregouda Byyapur and Halappa Achar that despite the district reeling under severe drought, the authorities concerned had not yet initiated steps to carry out a joint survey and submit a report to the government on the extent of crop loss, Deputy Commissioner P. Sunil Kumar said that a joint survey would be completed in about a fortnight.
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The Minister wanted the officials concerned to arrange for fodder for cattle and water too.
When Mr. Sanganna said that for want of proper documents, payment of compensation under Fasal Bima Yojana [₹ 30 crore] was still pending for 2016-17, Mr. Shankar directed the Deputy Commissioner to look into the matter and discuss with the insurance companies and get it settled.
The Minister directed the Rural Water Supply Department to initiate all steps to ensure that there was no drinking water crisis and wanted multi-village drinking water schemes to be completed on schedule to prevent escalation of cost. He also directed the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Corporation to repair all defunct pure water plants within 10 days.
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MLA Basavaraj Dhadesugur, Koppal ZP president Rajashekar Hitnal and ZP Chief Executive Officer Venkatraja were among other elected representatives and senior officials to attend the meeting.