Jarkiholi tells officials to be prepared for possible water scarcity
Although Haveri district was one among the districts that had received good rainfall in the district, after two months, there was likelihood of scarcity of
Although Haveri district was one among the districts that had received good rainfall in the district, after two months, there was likelihood of scarcity of water and so immediate steps should be taken to address any such eventuality, Minister for Public Works and in-charge minister for district disaster management Satish Jarkiholi has said. Chairing a review meeting on disaster management in Haveri district on Friday, Mr. Jarkiholi said that the State was facing such a drought situation after 100 years, and the immediate solution would be to fill up the tanks in the district utilising the water available in the Varada river. The Minister directed the officials in the Minor Irrigation and Irrigation Department to immediately take steps to fill up tanks in the district.
He also suggested that every gram panchayat purchase a water tanker, as it would prove useful in the coming days. He also directed officials to identify suitable locations for the construction of barrages in the district and submit a report to the Deputy Commissioner. Jarkiholi emphasised the need for creating awareness about integrated farming among the farmers and also about the ill effects of fertilizers on soil fertility. The Minister told the officials to take the requisite measures to ensure that there was no mismatch of crops in cases of crop insurance claims. Action should be taken against agents misleading the farmers, he said. He sought information on the status of the Bedti-Varada river linking project and said that he would take up the issue with the officials concerned.
MLAs Rudrappa Lamani, Basavaraj Shivannavar, Srinivas Mane, U.B. Banakar, Prakash Koliwad, and Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan raised various issues, including those concerning water scarcity, fertilizers, crop compensation, and others and urged for corrective measures. Deputy Commissioner Vijaymahanthesh Danammanavar spoke about the rain situation and the availability of water in the various tanks of the district. He said that ₹4 crores had been sanctioned to the district for emergency drinking water projects, of which 161 works worth ₹1.50 crore had been completed in the first phase. In the second phase, 128 works worth ₹2.5 crore were sanctioned, and of them 99 works had been completed, he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Haveri Zilla Panchayat Daljit Kumar spoke about the measures taken to improve the water supply situation. Joint Director of Agriculture Mallikarjun informed the meeting about the sowing percentage and awareness of the crop insurance scheme. Chairman of HESCOM Azeem Peer Syed Khadri, Superintendent of Police Yashodha Vantagodi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Nagaraj L. and others were present.
The BriefWire