From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Mar 18: With no respite from the hot weather and soaring temperatures touching 34 to 35 degree Celsius in Bengaluru and the worsening drinking water supply situation in most parts of the city, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday held a detailed review of the situation in the city and obtained information on the problems and availability of water.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the chief minister assured the people that the BWSSB has ensured sufficient storage of water to last till the end of June, by which time monsoon will set in and the situation will definitely ease.
"Sufficient water is available in Cauvery and Kabini," he said explaining that KRS has 11.02 tmcft and Kabini as 9.03 tmcft of water and there is no need to panic.
As 6,900 borewells sunk by the government out of the 14,000 have dried up, the city is facing problems and 55 out of the 110 villages in the suburbs are facing problems.
With the completion of the Cauvery 5th stage work by the end of June, an additional 775 mld of water will be available, which will take care of all the 110 villages.
Steps are being taken to sink 313 new borewells and 1200 defunct borewells are being rejuvenated. Slum areas as well as places at higher levels are being supplied water through private tankers as well as unused milk tankers of KMF.
The chief minister said strict instructions are issued to ensure that drinking water is not used in parks and gardens only treated water must be used. Steps are being taken to fill up the tanks, which will help in improving the water table to ensure supplies from borewells.
Modi cannot talk of State finances
Answering questions, the chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has no moral authority to talk about the State’s finances when his own government has caused grave injustice to Karnataka in the release of funds.
Siddaramaiah asked Modi why the people of Karnataka are neglected in the release of Central funds for drought relief even after six months. Why the Modi regime has failed to respond to the repeated demands on release of funds when the Central study team came and left in October last year, he asked.
The chief minister reminded the prime minister that people of Karnataka are watching the developments. "The Centre should know that Karnataka is not there only to fill up its coffers in tax revenues and GST collections. There must be equity in the release and devolution of funds," he said.
Siddaramaiah said the BJP has dearth of candidates while the Congress has more aspirants. ‘’We will win at least 20 out of the 28 seats in the State,’’ he
predicted.