Threat of drought looms large
Apart from the conventional drought belts such as North Karnataka threat of famine looms large in other parts of the state as well.
86 taluks of 23 districts have already faced shortfall of rain as per the state government. Another 14 Taluks entered that list on Monday. Revenue department has initiated work to prepare a list of drought stricken regions to be sent to the centre to seek aid. Report on crop loss would also be submitted to the centre. Survey has been undertaken in regions where there is rain shortfall and declared drought.
Details like depreciating groundwater table crop loss shortage of cattle feed and shortage of drinking water would be included in the report. Shortage of rain and increased dryness in the environment for more than 3 weeks would be considered as parameters for this report which would help decide the drought level in the region.
Along with 86 taluks, Anekal in Bangalore district, Devanahalli, Tumkur, Turuvekere, Holalkere, Hosadurga, Davanagere, Jagalur, Pandavapura, Aurad, Basavakalyan, Athani, Bilagi, Mudhol areas has been declared as drought stricken regions. Government has responded to drought situation after much delay. Floods in Kodagu and other natural disasters to cover the focus of administration from the drought situation looming in other areas of the state.
Kalburgi in Bijapur, which are tur/pigeon pea growing regions, have faced worst crisis ever. Their main crops such as cotton and tur have already failed with flowers that would turn into seeds, falling off the dry plants. Temperature is getting scathing hot with every passing day and this has got the farmers very worried about their crops.
Failed crop would mean increased loans which would be difficult to repay.
They bought seeds for cotton on loan. And since rains have failed, they will never find a way to repay this loan. And this is a very worrying time for farmers. The heat has already increased in Koppal, Bijapur, Raichur and Kalaburgi. Situation of drinking water is very grave in Bijapur and surrounding areas and state government is supplying drinking water through tankers. But the quantity of water is never enough for families. Because every family barely gets two buckets of water.
Lakes and tanks have dried groundwater is depleted people barely have water to drink or take bath.
MGNREGA is not being implemented effectively. Officers are not submitting accounts hence the bills are not being passed this delaying payments. Though each day's job should ensure a payment of Rs 249, people never get this and fake bills are being generated to deprive the poor of rightful earnings. Job for 100 days is not sufficient under these dire circumstances, and people are demanding that at least 300 days of work is needed to keep their families from going hungry.
Rains have failed in all phases and though officers are suggesting alternate crops, there are barely any takers for that owing to no rains. state government has to bring this to the notice of Central government to get more help and funds along with resources. Relief measures have to be initiated and drinking water problem has to be solved. The issue of migration has to be checked to ensure socio economic balance. Chief minister has to visit drought stricken areas to understand the gravity of the situation.
Not just North Karnataka, some areas in Dakshina Kannada have also turned into permanent drought stricken villages. Kolar Chikkaballapur and Tumkur have been facing shortfall of rain since many years. government has to initiate novel methods of conserving water like desilting the tanks in These areas to collect more rain water which can be used later for various purposes. The drought situation this time is a lot grave than ever. Hence the state cannot sit on the figures submitted by officers to offer help. District incharge ministers have visit their areas to understand the progress of the works that have been undertaken to tackle the problem.
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Speaker rules out discussion on Guv''s conduct amid K''taka Assembly standoff
Bengaluru (PTI): In an effort to end the logjam over the Governor's address that has stalled proceedings for the past week, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday ruled that legislators should not discuss Thaawarchand Gehlot or his conduct in the house, saying such debates send the wrong message to the public.
The House has witnessed repeated disruptions and adjournments since the session began on January 22 over the issue of the governor's conduct.
During his address to the joint sitting of the Karnataka legislature on January 22, Gehlot read out only three sentences from the 122-paragraph speech prepared by the state government.
The speech included criticism of the Centre for replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), portions of which the governor declined to read.
Concluding his address in about two minutes, the governor left the house, triggering a commotion as Congress legislators attempted to gherao him and raised slogans.
While the opposition BJP accused the ruling Congress and its ministers of "insulting" the governor and demanded action, the treasury benches countered by claiming the governor had "insulted the National Anthem by leaving before it was played."
The house again witnessed heated arguments on the issue earlier in the day, leading to adjournment.
During the interruption, Khader held a meeting with ministers and opposition members to resolve the impasse.
When proceedings resumed, the speaker delivered his ruling.
Referring to the events of January 22 and the subsequent debate, Khader said the conduct and discussions had conveyed the wrong message to the public.
"Our conduct as members of this House and the opinions expressed must be in good taste and in accordance with constitutional provisions. They must uphold the dignity of the House and its members. We must introspect in this direction," he said.
He stressed the need for caution to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
"Let us end this matter here, continue the discussion on the motion of thanks to the governor, and refrain from discussing the governor or his conduct in this house," the speaker said.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said the house should express regret over what he termed an "insult" to the governor.
Responding, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the situation would not have arisen had the governor read out the entire address.
"Asking the house to express regret is not appropriate. Why did the governor leave even before the National Anthem was played," Siddaramaiah asked.
BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar reminded Siddaramaiah that as Leader of the Opposition in 2011, he had asked then Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj to curtail his address.
Bhardwaj had subsequently placed the address on the table of the house, requesting members to treat it as read.
Siddaramaiah said the situation in January 2011 was different from the present one.
The debate grew intense, leading to another adjournment of the house.
