Bangalore:
Countering Opposition charge that Karnataka government had not taken up works in drought-hit taluks, Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda announced Rs 30 lakh to each Assembly segment to drill new bore wells to meet drinking water demand.
Mr Gowda's assurance came after the Opposition Congress and JD(S) staged a walkout in the Assembly protesting government's "inadequate" measures to tackle drought situation in as many 123 talukas of the state.
Replying to the debate on the issue, he said that government had released Rs 321.31 crore to take up drought relief works.
"Adequate measures have been taken to tackle drought situation," he said.
About 2480 new bore wells were drilled across the state besides taking up rejuvenation of thousands of old bore wells, Mr Gowda said. There was no truth in the Opposition's claim that the government had not taken any work at all in drought-hit taluks, Gowda said.
Countering Opposition Leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah's remarks, he said as many as 88 bore wells were sunk in drought-affected areas in Mysore. Mr Siddaramaiah had claimed not a single bore well had been dug in his constituency.
The government has decided to waive land revenue in 24 taluks besides converting short-term loans into medium and long term loans to help farmers suffering crop loss due to drought, Gowda said.
Government had pressed into service tankers in as many as 292 villages to tide over drinking water problem. "We are ready to extend the supply to other villages on demand."
Besides, Mr Gowda said control rooms were set up at taluk levels and complaints were being addressed within 24 hours. Siddaramaiah said that the facts presented by Chief Minister were far from truth and the state government failed to take up drought-related works in 123 drought-hit taluks.
In Mysore alone, Siddaramaiah claimed there has not been a single bore well dug. "Chief Minister's claims are far from truth," he said, adding, he did not blame him but officials for giving him wrong advice on drought situation.