Karnataka to pressure Centre for drought relief
BENGALURU: The Siddaramaiah cabinet, in response to the severe drought situation, has decided to exert pressure on the central government to provide compensation to the state.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil revealed this decision to reporters following the cabinet meeting. Patil explained, “We had previously written to the central government, requesting an increase in the number of man-days under MNREGA to 150. However, we did not receive a response. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet colleagues attempted to secure an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the relevant union minister did not take any action. Despite teams from the Centre visiting the drought-affected areas in Karnataka, the state has not received any drought relief.”
Patil noted that the cabinet expressed deep concern about what they viewed as unfair treatment of Karnataka by the central government. The Chief Minister directed ministers and officials to conduct meetings at the taluk and district levels to discuss drought mitigation measures. Patil emphasized that there were sufficient funds available, with over Rs 800 crore held by the deputy commissioners.
During the meeting, the cabinet also approved a proposal to establish Avishkar Innovative Labs in 73 public schools and 50 Adarsha Vidyalayas across Karnataka at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore. Additionally, it granted approval to allocate Rs 18 crore for the “Constitution and National Unity Convention” at the national level, scheduled for November/December or January in Bengaluru. The cabinet further approved the formation of a working committee under the chairmanship of Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa to organize this convention, marking the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar.
Other cabinet decisions included:
- Providing Rs 200 crore in compensation to 106 drought-hit taluks under the Krishi Bhagya Scheme, with the construction of 16,062 farm ponds in these taluks.
- Expanding the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana Watershed Development Component Scheme to five more taluks.
- Allowing insurance companies to implement the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
- Appointing Dr. Naveen Kumar as a medical officer at the governor’s office on a contract basis.
- Upgrading the mother and child hospital constructed by Infosys.
- Allocating Rs 16.20 crore for the purchase of 24 buses for NWRTC and Rs 45 crore for the purchase of 100 buses for the Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System.
- Amending the Karnataka Birth and Death Registration (Amendment) Rules 2023.
