Take warlike measures declare drought in 150 taluks Ktaka BJP to Shivakumar govt

Bengaluru July 2 Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka on Thursday urged the Karnataka government to take warlike measures to tackle the emerging drought situation calling for the immediate declaration of droughtaffected areas a scientific crop loss survey and an emergency action plan to mitigate the impact on farmers and rural communities In a letter addressed to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar Ashoka said the state was witnessing an alarming rainfall deficit with more than 150 taluks reportedly facing droughtlike conditionsHe said the inadequate southwest monsoon had delayed sowing operations left standing crops at risk of drying up and severely affected the livelihoods of farmers and agricultural labourers Reservoir water levels were also declining steadily raising concerns over a looming drinking water crisis particularly in North Karnataka districts such as Belagavi and BagalkotAshoka alleged that the Congress government had failed to respond adequately to the deteriorating situation He claimed that most districtincharge ministers had neither convened comprehensive review meetings nor visited the affected taluks while pointing out that the Agriculture Department was functioning without a fulltime ministerThe livelihoods of lakhs of farmers are at stake The absence of leadership in the Agriculture Department raises serious questions about the governments priorities he saidThe BJP leader cautioned that any delay in declaring droughthit areas would postpone crop loss assessments compensation to farmers fodder supply drinking water arrangements and the process of seeking financial assistance from the CentreHe said drought was not a political issue but a challenge affecting the entire state and urged the government to place public interest above politicsIn his letter Ashoka sought a series of immediate measures including district and talukwise assessment of drought conditions and prompt declaration of affected areas mandatory districtlevel drought review meetings under district incharge ministers and secretaries a statewide emergency action plan covering alternative crops seeds fodder livestock protection drinking water supply and employment generation and expedited implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act MGNREGA works to prevent migration of agricultural labourersHe also called for the identification of villages likely to face drinking water shortages and the release of emergency funds for water tankers borewell rejuvenation alternative water supply and multivillage drinking water schemesFurther Ashoka demanded an immediate scientific survey of crop losses interim relief for affected farmers timely crop insurance support and the supply of necessary agricultural inputsHe also urged the government to appoint a fulltime Agriculture Minister without delay and constitute a statelevel special drought management task force under the Chief Secretary As an interim measure he suggested assigning the Agriculture portfolio to an existing ministerThe Opposition leader also asked the government to prepare all documentation required under the Centres drought relief guidelines to ensure Karnataka secures timely financial assistance and relief measures IANS