CM, BSY love a good drought
The slugfest between former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Chief Minister, D.V. Sadananda Gowda took on a new edge on Tuesday when the Chief Minister showed the door to the former chief minister’s press adviser, and BSY announced a tour of the drought-hit districts in the state on the very day that the chief minister planned a video-conference on the issue.
Instead of attacking the CM directly, BSY criticised the chief secretary saying that he should not sit in the state capital and hold a video conference with deputy commissioners on drought relief. “Holding video conferencing is ok. But, he has to visit the drought hit villages. Only then will officers work,” he said.
On whether there was a paralysis in government after his departure, BSY said in comments calculated to irk his successor: “You tell me, you are the people who write about this.”
Tackle drought or face action: DVS
Facing flak for being unable to ensure drinking water and fodder in drought hit districts, Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda has warned deputy commissioners of these districts to get their act together failing which they would be held responsible for their laxity. The CM has come under attack from the Opposition and his own partymen including former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa for the inept handling of the drought.
Addressing the DCs after a video conference with them on Tuesday, the CM said that though the situation is under control now, things could worsen in the next two months. “We will give DCs all the assistance they require. They have to maintain a vigil on the situation till June 15 when we expect rains,’’ he said.
There is no dearth of funds with the DCs having `158 crore at their disposal. The government is ready to provide more funds if needed, he added.
“For the next two and a half months, I will be concentrating on drought relief work. The district in-charge secretaries have been asked to submit a status report in the next two days. After that, I will be going to Delhi to hold discussions with the Centre. Meanwhile, three teams of ministers – headed by Jagadish Shettar, Suresh Kumar and Basavaraj Bommai— will tour the drought affected districts and monitor relief work,’’ Mr Gowda said.
He felt that water supply could be improved by rejuvenating small ponds, open wells and cattle tanks in villages. During the video conference, the CM agreed to amend certain rules which would make it easier for the district administration to take up water mobilisation programmes. As for the statements made by his predecessor, B.S. Yeddyurappa on the poor handling of the drought situation, the CM replied that he would not like to comment on what others had said.
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