The Principal Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department and Belagavi District In-charge Secretary, Anjum Parvez, emphasized the urgent need to address the water scarcity issue in both urban and rural areas of the district. During the district progress review meeting held on Thursday at the DC’s office, Parvez stressed the importance of providing drinking water, employment opportunities, and fodder for cattle under the NREGA scheme.
Parvez firmly instructed the concerned authorities to ensure that there are no drinking water shortages in any part of the district. He emphasized that if any issues arise, those responsible will be held accountable. To proactively tackle the impending water crisis in both urban and rural areas, Parvez urged officials to develop a comprehensive plan.
Furthermore, Parvez emphasized the importance of providing employment to all eligible individuals under the NREGA scheme in rural areas. He emphasized the timely payment of wages to those who have participated in the employment guarantee scheme.
22.50 Crore Grant Allocated for Drought Management:
The state government has recently disbursed a substantial grant of 22.50 crore rupees to tackle the pressing issue of drought. This funding aims to address the severe water scarcity and its subsequent impact on agriculture and livestock.
DC Nitesh Patil emphasized that this grant does not provide an opportunity for drilling new tubewells. However, it serves as a crucial resource to implement effective drought management strategies.
To alleviate the dire situation, the district has been assigned a target of distributing 17 thousand fodder kits. Currently, 4 thousand kits have been received, and efforts are underway to expedite the delivery of the remaining kits. It has been explicitly instructed that these kits should only be distributed to farmers who possess cattle, ensuring that the aid reaches those who need it the most.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Harshal Bhoyer has taken proactive measures to address the shortage of doctors and medical staff in the district. This step aims to safeguard the health and well-being of the affected population.
In addition, Corporation Commissioner Ashok Dudgunti has announced plans to resolve the city’s drinking water crisis. This includes drilling a new tubewell and repairing the existing one, providing a sustainable solution to the water scarcity issue.
The impact of the drought has been widespread, with fifteen taluks being declared drought-affected. The rainfall in October has been significantly deficient, with only 78% of the expected precipitation. Consequently, the sowing of crops has been severely hindered, with only 38% of the intended sowing completed. Recent rains have further complicated matters, making it impossible to initiate fresh sowing.
However, Sivanagowda Patila, Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, has assured that the crops that have already been sown will eventually recover. This provides a glimmer of hope amidst the challenging circumstances.
In conclusion, the allocation of the
Recognizing the potential drinking water problem that Belagavi city may face in the future due to insufficient rainfall, Parvez urged officials to make adequate preparations to overcome this challenge.
Continuous Water (24×7) Instructions to Expedite Work:
District In-Charge Secretary, Anjum Parvez, has issued directives to accelerate the ongoing continuous water (24×7) supply project in Belagavi city. Completing this project promptly will greatly benefit the citizens, thus necessitating the need to expedite the work.
To ensure the quality of borewell water in the city, it is imperative to conduct thorough checks. Each borehole should be assigned a unique serial number, and the repair of tubewells within the city should be prioritized.
It is crucial to refrain from drilling new borewells using the government’s drought management grant. Instead, efforts should be focused on repairing existing tube wells.
Immediate action must be taken to resolve the technical difficulties that are impeding the release of funds to the beneficiaries registered under the Grilahakshmi Yojana. Additionally, the authorities should promptly deposit the funds into the accounts of the 7,000 beneficiaries in the district.
The benefits of the Grilahakshmi Yojana, Griha Jyoti, and Shakti Yojana should be delivered to eligible beneficiaries in accordance with the government’s intentions.
Furthermore, all sub-divisional officers and tehsildars should expeditiously resolve court cases.
Lastly, officials from the department responsible for allocating land for the establishment of hostels under the Social Welfare, Backward Classes, and Minorities Welfare Department should seek adjournment.
By implementing these measures, we can ensure the timely completion of the continuous water supply project while addressing various other important issues.
