Key Highlights from the Chief Minister’s first visit to Belagavi after becoming CM:
- Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar chaired the Belagavi Divisional Level Progress Review Meeting at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Thursday.
- ₹1 crore grant will be provided to every rural Assembly constituency to tackle drinking water shortages caused by below-normal monsoon rainfall.
- Officials were directed to ensure no village faces drinking water scarcity, working closely with local elected representatives.
- The government will supply water through tankers wherever necessary.
- Shivakumar said Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana have reached a consensus on the proposed Krishna-Cauvery-Godavari river linking project, calling it a historic step.
- The Forest Department was instructed not to delay permissions for drinking water pipeline projects and to expedite forest clearances.
- Applications related to Bagar Hukum cultivation should not be unnecessarily delayed or rejected.
- All Muzrai temples across Karnataka will be equipped with CCTV cameras for continuous monitoring.
- District Collectors and Superintendents of Police were instructed to strengthen vigilance following reports of financial misuse in temples elsewhere.
- The government will take a decision on cloud seeding after discussions with officials, following requests from several MLAs.
- Departments executing road works must maintain before-and-after photographic records. Similar documentation will be mandatory for beneficiary-oriented schemes to prevent fake billing.
- Strict action was warned against officials or contractors submitting fake records or fraudulent bills.
- Street vendors will be provided with vehicles under government schemes.
- A detailed report on the status of drinking water projects must be submitted to the government within one month.
- The Forest Department was directed to grant immediate clearances for drinking water projects.
- The next Legislative Assembly session will be held after completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
- PDOs and BLOs have been asked to create awareness about voter registration and ensure eligible citizens are not left out.
- The government is surveying misuse of guarantee schemes, and officials were directed to provide accurate data.
- Authorities were instructed to take strict action against fraudulent investment and cheating schemes.
- Border districts were told to intensify monitoring of illegal liquor and drug transportation from Goa and Maharashtra.
- Officials were directed to maintain adequate stocks of fertilisers and prevent black marketing.
Rainfall and Drought Preparedness
- Rainfall across North Karnataka has declined significantly, with the region recording an overall 17% rainfall deficit.
- District and taluk-level task force committees have been asked to hold regular review meetings and report to the government.
- Fodder kits should be supplied wherever shortages arise.
- Rain gauge stations will be modernised for more accurate rainfall monitoring.
Ministers’ Observations
- Satish Jarkiholi urged the government to officially adopt cloud seeding as a state programme and recommended desilting of dams across Karnataka.
- M.B. Patil said delays in projects such as the Jal Jeevan Mission should be identified through project audits.
- Eshwar Khandre said 83% progress has been achieved under the Ek Gram Drinking Water Project and directed officials to complete pending Har Ghar Jal works by March 2027.
Issues Raised by MLAs
- Shashikala Jolle (Nippani):
- Four of seven bridges in the constituency are submerged.
- Sought bridge elevation, crop damage assessment, compensation, and repairs to the Karadaga bridge.
- Mahantesh Koujalagi:
- Requested an additional motor to improve the multi-village drinking water scheme.
- Laxman Savadi (Athani):
- Said the drinking water problems of nearly 700 villages could be solved by providing a rising main near the Hipparagi Barrage.
- H.K. Patil:
- Strongly advocated cloud seeding, citing previous successful experiments.
- Proposed a 50-day programme costing around ₹40 crore, potentially in collaboration with the Defence forces.
- Raju Kage (Kagawad):
- Highlighted drinking water shortages in 30 villages and fodder scarcity.
- Sought faster implementation of the lake-filling project.
- Chadchan MLA:
- Raised issues relating to drinking water supply and road repairs in the constituency.
- Appaji Nemagowda (Muddebihal):
- Requested the release of Almatti backwaters into lakes to ease drinking water shortages.
- Aravind Bellad:
- Called for a permanent solution to the long-standing developmental and water-related issues of North Karnataka.
“Government should reach the people, not the other way around,” CM D.K. Shivakumar said, directing officials to spend more time in the field rather than in offices.
- A new Public Service Department will be strengthened to resolve public grievances, with a separate minister to oversee its functioning. Public grievance meetings will be held on the first and third Saturdays in selected taluks.
- Officers were warned that using mobile phones during review meetings could invite suspension, with the CM stressing discipline and accountability.
- District and taluk-level officers have been directed to remain stationed in their jurisdictions and maintain daily records of field visits and problem resolution.
- The CM announced plans to establish high-quality government schools through CSR funding, targeting around 2,000 schools across Karnataka, with major educational institutions adopting government schools.
- The government will launch ‘Yuva Udyog Setu’ to connect young job seekers with private sector employment opportunities.
- The state will establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas, with ₹10 lakh assistance for each to promote social harmony and constitutional values.
- A statewide audit of government land will be undertaken, followed by a programme to provide land and housing sites to landless families.
- The government plans to develop an industrial park in every taluk to boost local employment and investment.
- The CM instructed officials to curb unauthorised layouts and unplanned urban expansion, stressing scientific and planned development of towns and cities.
- The Revenue Department’s doorstep e-khata (e-account) delivery system will be expanded across Karnataka, alongside the digitisation of land records.
- The government said it is taking steps to combat fake news and misinformation as the influence of social media continues to grow.
- Deputy CM Dr. G. Parameshwara said development has not slowed because of the guarantee schemes, calling them complementary to infrastructure and welfare initiatives.
- He also said the Centre has supplied only 50% of Karnataka’s fertiliser requirement, and the state will seek immediate allocation of the remaining quantity