Bengaluru: Despite recent showers in parts of Karnataka, chief minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday cautioned against reading too much into the recent rainfall, saying the state must prepare for a possible drought.“Several parts of the state have received good rainfall, but it is too early to call the monsoon satisfactory,” Shivakumar said after a review meeting in Belagavi on rainfall, drinking water availability and Kharif preparedness in the Kittur Karnataka region.Referring to warnings from the Prime Minister and official assessments, he said the state must prepare for drought-like conditions and maximise water storage in lakes and reservoirs. To tackle drinking water scarcity, Shivakumar also announced a grant of Rs 1 crore for every rural assembly constituency. He said constituency-level committees, headed by MLAs, would prepare action plans and submit proposals for drinking water works. “Several regions have reported growing water scarcity. Officials have been instructed to maximise storage in reservoirs, lakes and tanks to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply,” he said.He also directed officials to fast-track underground drinking water pipeline projects and treat them as a priority. Flagging delays in irrigation and drinking water schemes, Shivakumar said forest department clearances were pending at more than 40 locations. “Drinking water projects should not be held up. They are a humanitarian issue and must receive top priority,” he said.Shivakumar said the govt had directed officials to ensure adequate stocks of seeds, fertilisers and drinking water. However, he flagged a fertiliser shortage, saying Karnataka had received only about 50% of its requirement from the Centre. “A separate meeting will be held in Bengaluru with Union ministers and officials to secure additional fertiliser supplies,” he said.Govt is conducting a technical audit of all major dam gates across the state, particularly those over 50 years old, and will decide on replacements based on expert recommendations, the CM added.He said Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had broadly agreed to build a balancing reservoir on the Tungabhadra, with a joint technical committee expected to submit its report in about three months.CCTV surveillance in Muzrai templesChief minister DK Shivakumar directed officials to install CCTV cameras in all major temples under the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Muzrai) department to ensure transparency in the handling of devotees’ donations. He said the cameras should cover the opening of hundis, movement of cash and counting of donations, with live feeds linked to the offices of the Superintendent of Police, Circle Inspector and DC. Referring to allegations of embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Shivakumar said the incident had hurt devotees’ sentiments and highlighted the need for stricter monitoring.
