Hubbali/Dharwad: The drought study committee, headed by Industries Minister R V Deshpande visited Maradgi and Hebballi in Dharwad taluk, and Kiresur and Kusugal in Hubballi taluk on Tuesday to study the impact of the drought and relief measures taken to mitigate the problem of the people.
The team inspected lake disiltation work, functioning of fodder bank, and works taken up under the MGNREGS at different places.
Farmers at Hebballi complained to the team that the fodder supplied to them was of poor quality at fodder bank. Reacting to this, Mr Deshpande stated that the government would take measures to get quality fodder from Vijaypur and distribute it in the district. He said, the impact of drought would come down, if the State receives rain.
The team visited multi-village drinking water supply scheme work at Kusugal.
Drought situation
After inspecting the drought relief works, Mr Deshpande held a meeting of officials at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium in Dharwad.
District In-charge Minister Vinay Kulkarni and MLA N H Konareddy explained the drought situation in the district, and the need to supply drinking water and fodder, and take up disiltation of lakes.
Mr Deshpande asked the officials to work without taking leave and respond to the people's problems. He said, officials should know about fodder properly, and ensure that better quality fodder was supplied.
Water Resources Minister M B Patil asked the officials concerned how much water was available at Malaprabha reservoir. The officials said, 2.3 TMC feet of water was available, and it would be sufficient for supplying drinking water to Hubballi-Dharwad, Bailhongal, Savadatti, and other taluks till June.
District In-charge Minister Vinay Kulkarni informed the meeting that wild animals were migrating from Uttara Kannada district to the border areas of Dharwad district in search of water and food. This had been causing problem for villagers in the district.
To this, Mr Deshpande spoke to the officials of the Forest Department over phone and asked them to discuss with their minister and take measures to solve the problem.
Deputy Commissioner S B Bommanhalli, ZP Chief Executive Officer R Snehal, MLC Shrinivas Mane, and others were present.