In the light of drought in 100 taluks, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday directed district-level officials to prepare an action plan to tackle drought-related distress.
Addressing deputy commissioners and zilla panchayat chief executive officers here, the Chief Minister said the Centre had released ₹46 crore towards drought relief. “We need to have an action plan to utilise the fund well.”
Stating that people were facing several problems, he sought information from the Revenue Department on the steps taken to address the issues affecting the public.
“Inspections have to be conducted at the gram panchayat level to ascertain proper implementation of drought-related works,” he told the officials.
He also said that the government had approved ₹50 lakh to each district and ₹25 lakh to each taluk to ensure drinking water supply. Currently, water supply to 313 villages in 13 districts was being done through tankers and nearly 250 private borewells have been taken on rent. A similar exercise would be taken up in 462 more villages.
He expressed happiness over the way district administrations had responded to challenges faced during natural calamities.
“Over the next three to four months, drought conditions are likely to intensify. The district administrations have to address the issue efficiently,” he said.
Loan waiver process from Dec. 5
Mr. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday directed senior district administration officials to commence the loan waiver process from December 5. His directions came during a review meeting with deputy commissioners and zilla panchayat chief executive officers. He directed them to collect all details related to loan-waiver scheme before December 1.
He also urged the deputy commissioners to keep middlemen outside while implementing the ₹43,000-crore loan-waiver scheme. “The government has completed the formalities to implement the farm loan-waiver scheme. Details of loans taken by farmers have already been provided,” he said. As many as 4,000 farmers had submitted affidavits in Sedam and Doddaballapur where the pilot project was being implemented, he said.
He also directed the officials to protect street vendors from harassment by moneylenders.
