Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddharamaiah on Tuesday held a video conference at his official residence ‘Krishna’ with Deputy Commissioners, ZP CEOs and Regional Commissioners to discuss drought and the steps taken to tackle the situation. Siddharamaiah directed officials to attend to problems relating to shortage of drinking water, unemployment and fodder shortage without delay.

He said Deputy Commissioners could take over private borewells in areas where there is severe shortage of drinking water.

Pointing out that special care was needed to be taken to meet drinking water requirements, the CM said that the DCs will be held responsible if there are reports of water crisis in their districts.

The CM reviewed the progress of Crop Insurance, fodder and water availability and implementation of the employment guarantee scheme to prevent migration.

Asserting that there was adequate fodder for livestock for three weeks, the CM said that 7 lakh kits have been distributed to farmers.

Noting that the Government has decided to spend Rs. 3,316 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) to provide employment to poor workers, the CM instructed the DCs and ZP CEOs to organise food and water for children who accompany labourers to work.

The CM also released Rs.265 crore input subsidy directly to the bank accounts of 4.47 lakh farmers. Earlier, the State Government had released Rs. 6.71 crore input subsidy for 12.3 lakh farmers. With the latest release on Tuesday, a total of Rs. 936 crore has been distributed as input subsidy.