As Dam Levels Drop, Karnataka Opposition Leader Accuses Government of Inaction
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashok, criticised the Congress government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday for failing to address farmers' concerns as water levels in reservoirs across the state decline rapidly.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir in Mandya district, Ashok said the government had not convened an all-party meeting or consulted farmers' representatives to discuss the worsening water situation.
He noted that only about 6.7 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water remained in the KRS reservoir, with nearly 3 tmcft required every month for drinking water needs. “If evaporation losses are taken into account, there may not be enough water even for drinking purposes,” he warned.
Ashok alleged that instead of addressing the emerging drought, drinking water management, and cloud seeding feasibility, the government was prioritising tenders worth ₹39,000 crore for garbage disposal and a proposed tunnel road project.
He pointed out that the newly constituted cabinet under Shivakumar lacks an Agriculture Minister. He said ministers for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Panchayat Raj are needed to tour drought-hit districts and assess the situation. Without such visits, officials may not perform their duties effectively, he added.
The BJP leader also alleged that the Congress high command in New Delhi was awaiting “payment” before approving ministerial appointments to the state cabinet.
Claiming that reservoir levels had dropped sharply within a month of Shivakumar taking office, Ashok said over one lakh acres of standing crops face water scarcity. During his interaction with Mandya district officials, he was informed that only 5% of sowing had been completed, while cultivation on the remaining 95% had not begun due to inadequate water.
Ashok criticised the Chief Minister's reported advice to farmers not to cultivate crops because of the shortage. He contrasted this with the Congress's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his appeal to limit gold purchases during a recent Middle East conflict.
He challenged Shivakumar to make a similar appeal to farmers in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and criticised him for remaining silent after the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution against the proposed Mekedatu reservoir project.
