CM warns of action against lax officials as drought deepens in Kalyana Karnataka

Kalaburagi: Chief minister DK Shivakumar led a review meeting on the drought situation in the Kalaburagi division on Tuesday and warned that strict action would be taken against officials who failed to respond effectively to drought-related challenges as conditions worsen across the state.Officials from various departments and elected representatives attended the meeting, which reviewed the drought situation in the seven districts of the Kalyana Karnataka region. District-wise reports were presented on the prevailing conditions and relief measures.Discussions focused on supplying drinking water through tankers to water-scarce villages, setting up fodder banks for livestock, managing fodder distribution centres, assessing crop losses and extending assistance to affected farmers.Addressing the Kalaburagi division-level progress review meeting, the chief minister said negligence in public service would not be tolerated. The meeting was the first division-level progress review for North Karnataka. “Inclusive and transparent governance, development, and ensuring that civil rights reach even the last person in the queue are the primary goals of our govt. To achieve this, the bureaucracy must function in a proactive, people-centric and responsible manner,” he said.

Referring to the revision of electoral rolls, he directed officials to ensure that no eligible voter was denied the right to vote. “Politics is not the priority here. It is the govt’s responsibility to safeguard every citizen’s voting rights. BLOs must visit every household at least three times and ensure that all eligible voters are enrolled. There can be no compromise on this,” he said.On the state’s development and water management efforts, Siddaramaiah said concerns over inadequate rainfall were being raised across the country, but Karnataka’s situation remained manageable.

“We held historic-level discussions with the chief ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, as well as Union ministers, to find a permanent solution to interstate water disputes,” he said.He added that the Centre had responded positively to the proposal to interlink the Krishna, Cauvery and Godavari rivers through a project estimated to cost Rs 1 lakh crore. “We have decided to work together, keeping public welfare above political differences,” he said.Officials briefed the meeting on precautionary measures undertaken by district administrations and offered suggestions to strengthen drought mitigation efforts.Among those present were deputy chief minister and revenue minister Dr G Parameshwara, home and IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge, medical education minister Dr Sharanaprakash Patil, rural development and panchayat raj minister Eshwar Khandre, and health and family welfare minister UT Khader.