Chamarajanagar officials seek drought relief

S Ramesh

Mysuru: Chamarajanagar district in-charge minister K Venkatesh on Saturday said the district administration has sent a proposal to the state govt for the declaration of Chamarajanagar as a drought-hit district.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting various villages in Hanur taluk, the minister said deputy commissioner Srirupa had submitted a report to the state govt. The district administration has compiled details on rainfall deficiency and the drinking water crisis in several villages in Hanur and Chamarajanagar taluks, caused by depletion of groundwater due to scanty rainfall.

The state govt will soon take a decision on declaring the district drought-hit and initiate relief measures to address fodder shortages and provide drinking water, he said. He added that he had also discussed the matter with the chief minister and other concerned ministers. More than 45 villages in Hanur taluk have been identified as severely affected by the drinking water crisis.

Referring to reports of negligence by forest officials in the leopard attack in MM Hills last week, which left one person dead, Venkatesh said he had brought the issue to the notice of the forest minister and sought action against the erring officials.

Hanur MLA MR Manjunath, deputy commissioner Srirupa, ZP CEO Mona Roth, ZP deputy secretary Shruthi, tahasildar Chaitra and additional superintendent of police Shashidhar, among others, inspected various villages in Hanur taluk.

Chamarajanagar district in-charge minister Venkatesh also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the increase in petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre.

Speaking to reporters in Chamarajanagar, he urged the Election Commission to ensure fairness while conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters, scheduled to begin in Karnataka on June 20, citing the deletion of over 90 lakh voters in West Bengal.