Kalaburgi: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has instructed the officials of the concerned department that immediate action should be taken to supply drinking water from Bennethora Reservoir to the residents of Kalaburgi City.
He arrived in Kalaburagi for the first time after being sworn in as a minister in the new Congress Government. Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development Dr. Sharanprakash Patila also participated in the meeting of district MLAs and officials and talked about current monsoon rains, flood control, agricultural activities, and drinking water issues in the district.
Expressing his displeasure that no action has been taken after many reminders in the past to provide drinking water to the city from Bennethora, Kharge instructed the officials to start working from tomorrow to supply water.
Samad Patel, Joint Director, Agriculture Department, who was present in the meeting, said that currently 8 people have died due to hail/lightning during the pre-monsoon season of 2023-24, and a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each is been disbursed. A total sowing target of 8.87 lakh hectares has been set for this monsoon season he said.
Crops damage: Minister assigned DC to investigate
Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development Dr. Sharan Prakash Patila who was present at the meeting said that last year 70% of the crops were damaged due to net disease in the district, while the officials submitted a report of only 30%. Due to this, the farmers are not getting the compensation they should get and it is unfair. He instructed the DC to have a comprehensive investigation into this matter.
Last year due to poor seed sowing, there was root disease. So have you sent such seeds to a lab to test them? Minister Dr. Sharanprakash Patila questioned the agriculture officials and suggested that farmers should be encouraged to grow diverse crops such as green gram, soybean, and cotton. He instructed the senior police officers to file a charge sheet against the person who sold spoiled seeds in Malakheda last year.
MLAs M.Y. Patila, Allamaprabhu Patila, Kaneez Fatima, Dr. Avinash Jadhav, Basavaraja Mattimadu, Regional Commissioner Krishna Bajapaye, Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr. Girish D. Badole, Superitendet of Police Isha Pant, D.C.P. Addur Srinivasa, District level officials were present during the meeting.
