Bengaluru, July 23: Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara announced that the state government is fully equipped to address the current drought situation, ensuring there is no shortage of funds for relief efforts. He stated that adequate financial arrangements have been made for drinking water supply and assistance to farmers.
During a press interaction at his official residence in Bengaluru on Thursday, Parameshwara revealed that each legislator has been allocated ₹1 crore, while each district has received ₹5 crore to secure drinking water supply. Additionally, ₹329 crore is already available in the PD accounts.
He noted that review meetings regarding the drought have been completed in several parts of the state, while those for the Bengaluru and Mysuru revenue divisions are yet to occur. The meeting for the Bengaluru division is scheduled for July 25, under the leadership of the Chief Minister. Following this, the Mysuru division will be reviewed. A comprehensive assessment of the situation across the state will be conducted after all meetings, leading to a strategy that ensures farmers and the general public face no hardships.
Parameshwara instructed all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of district panchayats to provide immediate employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to prevent migration from drought-affected areas.
He mentioned that the state government has sought assistance from the central government but has yet to receive a response. According to him, the central government typically considers such proposals in August. The state government plans to submit its memorandum at that time, hoping for financial aid.
The Deputy Chief Minister shared that in the districts he visited, farmers had sown crops after pre-monsoon rains, but subsequent lack of rainfall has led to crop failure. Farmers are now hoping for good rainfall in August to enable re-sowing.
Earlier on Wednesday, Parameshwara stated that Karnataka is facing its worst drought in 150 years. He highlighted that rainfall has been significantly below normal, resulting in less than 40% of the usual sowing, with most of the sown crops now dried up.
On the issue of the NEET question paper leak, he emphasized that it concerns the future of millions of students and should be discussed in Parliament. He alleged that many students who performed well in the first exam scored poorly in the re-examination. He called for those in responsible positions to accept moral responsibility and resign.
Parameshwara asserted that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi genuinely stands with the students, then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should be removed from his position, and action should be taken against the guilty parties.
He also criticized the treatment of opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during protests in Delhi, stating that the Constitution grants all citizens the right to peaceful demonstration, which must be respected.
Regarding ongoing protests by Congress and BJP in Karnataka, he remarked that reactions in politics are natural following actions. He stated that Congress has no objection if BJP wishes to lodge complaints at the Raj Bhavan.
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