Bengaluru, 06 August (H.S.):
Karnataka Medical Education Minister and Yadgir district in-charge Sharan Prakash Patil has directed officials to take immediate measures to address the worsening drought and drinking water shortage in rural and urban areas of the district.
Dr Patil issued the directions while chairing a drought review meeting in Yadgir on August 5, during his first visit to the district after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar assigned him to assess the drought situation and oversee relief measures.
Reviewing the availability of drinking water and the impact of the prolonged dry spell on agriculture, the Minister asked officials of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department and other agencies to ensure that residents do not face disruption in water supply.
He directed the Revenue and Agriculture departments to conduct a detailed assessment of crop losses caused by deficient rainfall and prolonged dry conditions. Officials were asked to submit a comprehensive report at the earliest so that the district administration could initiate appropriate relief and assistance for affected farmers.
The Minister stressed the need for coordination among departments and instructed officials to respond quickly to complaints from drought-hit areas, particularly villages facing acute drinking water shortages.
The review meeting also witnessed a heated exchange over allegations that some local officials were inaccessible to elected representatives and the public.
Gurmitkal MLA Sharanagowda Kandkur raised strong objections against Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Lavish Ordia and Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs), alleging that they frequently failed to answer telephone calls.
Kandkur said residents of rural areas often contacted him directly when they encountered problems and questioned how their grievances could be resolved if officials remained inaccessible.
Dr Patil asked the administration to ensure greater responsiveness at the grassroots level while dealing with drought-related complaints.
The district administration has been directed to closely monitor drinking water availability, crop damage and other drought-related difficulties and take timely measures to provide relief to affected communities.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
