Drought relief work needs to pick up pace
Drought has hit the state again. About 100 taluks are reeling under drought as per government report. Drought situation is particularly worse in 72 taluks. Many more number of taluks are also affected by the drought. People’s lives are getting miserable. Drinking water has become scarce. Hundreds of villages are being supplied with water in tankers.
On one hand, we have terrible situation in the state but then this isn’t enough to prompt our MLAs seek aid from the government to ease people’s lives. They are busy partying around in resorts and fighting among themselves silly. Ruling and opposition parties are engaged in ‘resort’ politics day in and day out. They do not have any semblance of responsibility or humanitarian concern towards the people who voted for them. Two MLAs coming from the Ballari district of the mining-fame have got down to fist fights leaving one of them badly injured.
Even the opposition party BJP does not remember that it needs to work to train the focus of the government on drought related problems, human emergencies that have to be attended to by the government. The party has barely gone to people. All its efforts are towards somehow clinching power by toppling the current coalition government.
Hence people are disappointed with the ruling and the opposition party. Amidst all this the coalition government has taken some imperative steps to mitigate the problems caused by drought. CM has held a meeting with regional commissioners, deputy commissioners and ZP CEOs.
Four cabinet sub committees have been formed to every revenue department with a senior minister on board. A senior officer of the grade of chief secretary is the coordinator. This committee would study the drought stricken areas and present a report on the findings. The relief work has been affected by the backdoor efforts of BJP to destabilize the government.
The report would have all details about shortfall of rain and shortage of drinking water. A nodal officer has been appointed to manage the situation in every taluk. DCs have been instructed to check migration. Rs 50 lakhs has been allocated to mitigate drinking water situation in every taluk of which Rs 25 lakh has already been released.
About 8.11 lakh mini kits have been bought and distributed among the farmers free of cost to meet the cattle feed scarcity at a cost of Rs 20.66 cr. Though the government took all these steps, they have not been implemented efficiently. The relief work has not taken off at expected rate owing to disinterest on part of the ruling party. Since the media is busy covering resort politics, people aren’t getting to know the actual gory details of drought situation. CM took the officers to task recently since they had given misinformation that Rs 25 lakh that was released hadn’t reached them.
This is the time for the coalition government to open its eyes and take up drought relief work on war footing. The loan waiver schemes have to be executed at fast pace to reassure the farmers. Opposition parties have to advise the government better to manage such pro-people works.
Drought has been a curse to the state which receives good rainfall one year and then the subsequent two years would be almost dry. Hyderabad Karnataka and north Karnataka regions are known for their extreme drought like situation all through the year.
Hence the government shouldn’t initiate temporary measures but find long standing solutions for these problems. This would have a better effect on people’s lives. The coalition government needs call all-party members to involve the experts to solve this crisis and find permanent solution.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.”
