JOIN USBeginning Friday, livestock in the district will get double the current quota of fodder.
After chairing a meeting on drought relief works on Thursday, District In-charge Minister Parameshwara told media, “Following a demand, it was decided to double the quantity of fodder quota. Daily, up to 100 kg, 10 kg of fodder per cattle will be distributed starting Friday, against five kg up to total 50 kg earlier. In case of shortage of fodder, additional fodder will be purchased from outside. A total of 751 tonnes of fodder has been distributed among the needy, while there is storage of 168 tonnes.”
The district has received Rs 21.77 crore for drought relief work, of which Rs 13.13 crore is spent. About Rs 12.10 crore has been spent on further development of chief minister’s rural roads, he added.
“The Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,752 crore, but the state is yet to get the full amount, with Rs 700 crore and Rs 500 crore being released in first two phases respectively. We are not waiting for central funds, but releasing the amount sought by the district administration to tackle drought,” he claimed.
Grimy situation
The state had suffered a loss of Rs 17,000 crore in 2016-17 due to drought. Under national calamity relief fund guidelines alone, the state is expecting Rs five crore from the centre. Similarly, under calamity relief fund, Rs 11.6 crore has been sanctioned to the district and Rs 7.36 crore has been spent on various works. The remaining amount is expected to be spent once the MLA-headed taskforce approves the action plan, said Parameshwara.
“The Zilla Panchayat has received Rs 8.1 crore grant under Taskforces I, II and III, followed by Rs 2.57 crore for Urban Development Department. While the Revenue Department has released separate grants of Rs 9.10 crore under the State Disaster Fund (SDF), under ZP taskforce IV, an additional Rs two crore has been released and Rs 2.57 crore for supply of drinking water under municipality limits,” said the minister.
Saying that drinking water woes have reached their peak in Kadur and Tarikere taluks, the minister said that a nodal officer has been appointed for both taluks. Following the inputs provided by the officers, 486 trouble hit areas have been identified. While the relief works have been taken up in 241 villages, water is being supplied through tankers in 126 villages, and action is being taken up in the remaining 97 villages.
Cattle sheds
On the much debated cattle sheds (gaushalas), the minister said, while two sheds will be opened through NGOs, the 16 hoblis where fodder banks are opened will be distributing feed for animals. Drought relief works at the cost of Rs 4.5 crore are also underway.
He also said that rain will ensure economic stability, apart from improving situation on agrarian front.
No cloud seeding
The minister clarified that the idea of cloud seeding will be dropped for now. “It will be a futile exercise in a non-conducive situation, as suggested by experts. If the situation turns favourable in the coming days, the government will decide on the same,” he said.