KARNATAKA MPs MEET RAJNATH SINGH ON DROUGHT RELIEF
A delegation of Members
of Parliament from Karnataka met the Agriculture Minister, Shri
Rajnath Singh here today and sought central assistance to tackle
the drought situation in the State. The delegation was led by
the Karnataka Minister for Home and Minor Irrigation, Shri Mallikarjun
Kharge. The delegation pointed out that the State is facing drought
for the third year in a row. From January to November 2003, 161
out of 176 Taluks have received sub-normal rains. 42% of the standing
Kharif crops and 36.5 per cent of rabi crops are suffering from
severe moisture stress. There has been severe depletion of the
ground water table and very poor inflow into tanks and reservoirs.
Drinking water is already being transported to 120 villages and
20 towns. The total damage to horticulture has been assessed at
about Rs.3974 crore. The delegation sought assistance from the
centre in the form of funds and food grains. It thanked the centre
for the funds and food grains already provided since April 2002.
Shri Rajnath
Singh assured the delegation that all possible help would be given
to Karnataka. He further assured that there would be no discrimination
against any State in the matter of drought relief .
