Karnataka calls emergency Cabinet meeting on July 20 as drought worsens
DK Shivakumar on Saturday said he has called an emergency Cabinet meeting on July 20 to discuss the drought situation in Karnataka and decide the
DK Shivakumar on Saturday said he has called an emergency Cabinet meeting on July 20 to discuss the drought situation in Karnataka and decide the measures needed to handle it. He said the government would also review reports on distress migration from some areas and assess schemes that can be put in place during the drought. He also said water stored in dams across the state has, for now, been reserved only for drinking purposes, and any release for irrigation would depend on storage levels in the reservoirs. Referring to pressure from neighbouring states, especially Tamil Nadu, for the release of Cauvery water, Shivakumar said Karnataka would present its stand if the issue came up in Parliament. Read Full Story Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said, "Tomorrow I have called an emergency Cabinet meeting. We had planned to hold it on Thursday but could not as I had been to Delhi. We must specially discuss the drought situation. There is a meeting with deputy commissioners of all districts, zilla panchayat CEOs and officials via video conferencing in the morning." He said the steps to be taken would be discussed and decided at the Cabinet meeting later in the day.
He said, "We have received details of the situation and the schemes and measures that can be implemented during the drought. We have also received information about people migrating from some areas due to the drought. We will discuss the situation and decide on the measures to be taken." On whether the Centre had responded to his letter on the drought, he said, "Nothing as of now. I am aware that they will not respond immediately after we send a letter. We have to send more details backed by facts. We have the data and a clear picture of the situation, including the amount of rainfall received in different areas." Shivakumar recently wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to depute a central team to assess the emerging drought situation in the state. In the letter, he cited a 30 per cent rainfall deficit, the delayed monsoon and its impact on agriculture, drinking water and reservoir levels. He also said Karnataka had begun drought mitigation measures but sought an early on-ground assessment by the Centre, saying timely intervention would strengthen the state's efforts to tackle the evolving situation.
On water storage, Shivakumar said, "Whether it is farmers in Mandya or elsewhere, the water being released should not be used for agriculture. It is only for drinking purposes. Water will be released for agriculture depending on the storage levels in the dams. Don't put pressure on the government by sowing seeds expecting water to be released for agriculture." He added that there was pressure from Tamil Nadu for the release of Cauvery water and that a similar situation existed with regard to Tungabhadra river water. He told farmers that water would be released for crops once the dams received sufficient inflows. Asked about political parties in Tamil Nadu planning to raise the Cauvery issue during the Parliament session, Shivakumar said he would ask Karnataka MPs to present the state's position as well. "Let them do their duty. I don't want to comment on that. There are many issues; let them raise them, no problem. We will also raise our concerns. I will also go to Delhi and ask our Members of Parliament to present the facts," he said. Asserting Karnataka's rights in the Cauvery dispute, he said, "The Supreme Court has also said that the matter is left to the Central Water Commission.
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