Raichur drought relief: Minister details state funds, central grants pending
The Karnataka government has launched a series of initiatives to tackle the drought situation in Raichur district, according to Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology Ajay Dharam Singh.
Addressing the gathering after hoisting the national flag at Mahatma Gandhi Stadium in Raichur on the occasion of Independence Day, the Minister said he had personally surveyed drought-affected areas in the district on the directions of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. He interacted with farmers facing distress and instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive report for immediate remedial action.
"The district administration currently has ₹4.95 crore in its Personal Deposit account for emergency works. Additionally, the Chief Minister has announced an allocation of ₹100 lakh for each taluk to tackle the ongoing drinking water crisis," Dr. Singh said.
The Minister also paid tributes to freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rani Lakshmibai, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He urged the younger generation to understand the history of the freedom struggle and play an active role in nation-building.
Despite rainfall deficits in the region, Dr. Singh said the Agricultural Department has been supporting farmers by extending various government schemes, benefits, and technical guidance for sowing operations. The district has achieved sowing in 2.73 lakh hectares against a target of 5.71 lakh hectares for the current kharif season. Farmers have also received assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
The Minister highlighted the implementation of the State government's five guarantee schemes — Shakti, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi, Gruha Lakshmi, and Gruha Jyoti. He added that developmental works in departments such as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Education, and Women and Child Development are progressing through funds allocated by the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) and the Raichur Mahanagara Palike.
Dr. Singh outlined the government's top 10 flagship programmes that are scheduled for implementation in the next 100 days. Following the official function, he flagged off new municipal vehicles purchased by the palike and met with protesters holding a long-standing dharna demanding an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the region.
Later, speaking to reporters, Dr. Singh announced that a State delegation would soon visit New Delhi to urge the Union government to release long-pending grants for the Kalyana Karnataka region. He said the matter would first be discussed with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
While the KKRDB has already released State-allocated funds, the Union government has not released its matching share. Central grants under the Aspirational Districts Programme for Raichur also remain unreleased, he added.
Dr. Singh cited the landmark reports by D.M. Nanjudappa and the Govindrao Committee, which addressed regional imbalance and discrimination in fund allocations. He said the recommendations of the Govindrao Committee would be evaluated thoroughly for swift implementation.
Replying to a query about a recent lapse at a government hostel in Sindhanur, the district in-charge Minister asserted a zero-tolerance policy. He warned that any official found negligent would face immediate and strict disciplinary action.
