Deluge on one side; famine on another
Some parts of Karnataka have suffered serious damage to property owing to torrential rains. In some other regions, there is scarcity of water owing to poor monsoon. The CM has said his government would be coming up with schemes to tackle this situation in at least 12 districts in the near future.
Some districts in North Karnataka have received good rains, while some have not. If it does not rain in the next one month in Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Vijayapura districts, things would go from bad to worse. There is almost 50% scarcity of rain in these areas.
Hyderabad Karnataka is in the red with lack of normal rains in the area; though it has already been two months since the monsoon set in. The farmers are tensed since the lakes, ponds and other water sources do not have water in them and the table is fast depleting. Birds and animals are suffering because of there is hardly any water in spaces where they quench their thirst. Heat is on the rise in the region. Sowing has already taken place in about 80% of the cultivable land in Kalaburagi district which amounts to six lakh hectares and farmers are looking forward to rains lashing the area soon enough to sprout the seeds. There was some sprinkle of the showers in the last week of May and that was it. Rains disappeared after that. Bhima, Amarja, Kamalavati, Mullamari, Kajina, and other major rivers have dried up in the area.
Hyderabad Karnataka region had to receive at least 120 mm rain in the month of July. But there is a lack of 60% rains in the area. Vijayapura and Kalaburagi are suffering under the dry spell. People are in distress even over drinking water. Some areas in South Karnataka such as Kolar and Chikkaballapura are also facing shortfall of rain.
The CM had called for DCs meeting on Monday at Vidhana Soudha and discussed the further plan of action. He has said a disaster management action will be initiated to tackle the distress situation in those areas with drought kind of condition. The loss caused by natural disasters should be compensated for.
The state government has already released Rs 43 crore for this purpose, and would allocate even more funds if need be. Possibilities of supplying drinking water through tankers to places that are facing scarcity of water, is also under consideration.
While all this situation is being tackled in North Karnataka, some irresponsible MLAs belonging to BJP who have benefited thousands of crores under illegal mining, have started this cry for separate North Karnataka state. Media is using all opportunities to build various narratives around some spur of the moment talks CM HD Kumaraswamy had with the members of press in Ramanagara. Some leaders are behind this ‘separate state’ demand. Leader of Opposition, Yeddyurappa is trying to fan the fire by giving silent support to those who are crying aloud for separate state, and hoping to destabilize the government.
There is a good amount of truth in the allegation that North Karnataka has got a raw deal as far as development is concerned, ever since the formation of Karnataka was complete. But the people responsible for that are the legislators who represent the region, and no one else. Nearly 100 MLAs who have been elected from the region have hardly spoken for the region in the house, as per veteran journalist Patil Puttappa’s words. Once elected, they go and create a base for themselves in Bangalore, and come to their constituencies only when elections are close or when they are invited for the events.
Hence, the people’s representatives have ignored the cause of their people big time. People know the response BJP MLAs showed when Mahadayi water sharing dispute was being protested against, by farmers of Dharwad region recently. These are the same MLAs who are encouraging this separate state cry.
Had the Prime minister convened a meeting of Goa and Maharashtra CMs, and addressed the problem, it could have been solved amicably long ago. The PM didn’t respond even when the then CM Siddaramaiah took an all-party delegation to Delhi. Leaders like BSY and Jagadish Shettar sat silently in such meetings. Now they are all very affectionate towards North Karnataka people and want a separate state for them.
Hence the efforts to divide the state are on, full swing. BJP is doing this with the upcoming general elections in mind. Instead, they should focus on developmental works in the state, help the state get aid for regions affected by famine and drought from the centre. They shouldn’t play politics in this matter.
This is a very strange situation Karnataka is facing which is stark contradiction of natural phenomenon in state. Some regions are facing famine and some others are facing floods. The elections have got over only recently. Our leaders and MLAs have to go to people to deliver better facilities for them. Instead, they shouldn’t engage in destabilizing the government. All parties have to come together for the cause of people.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
