Bengaluru: Severe criticism from various quarters has forced Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil to declare that he will personally bear the cost of conducting ‘homa’ to appease the Rain Gods.

Patil had said that the government will conduct a ‘homa’ at Talacauvery where River Cauvery originates, considering the State was reeling under a third consecutive term of drought. This was declared at a time the MET department has predicted that monsoon will hit Karnataka on June 4. He had said that the State-run Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited has allotted Rs. 10 lakh each to conduct two ‘homas’, one at Talacauvery and the other at Mahabaleshwar.

After his statements, he was subject to severe criticism where critics had said that ‘homas’ cannot bring rain. Patil said yesterday that he will personally bear the cost of conducting the rituals.

“It has been our culture and tradition to perform ‘homas’ for the two rivers and we had set aside money for it. But since the media has portrayed it as unwanted expenditure,I have personally decided to bear the cost of ‘homas’. No money from government will be used,” he said.

“I am hurt at the fact that some media have projected that government money is being spent on these ‘homas’. The ‘homa’ will be performed at Talacauvery on June 4 in the presence of Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt,” he said.

Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, known for his rational outlook, tried to wriggle out of the row by stating that he was not aware of any plans to conduct ‘homa’ and that the government had no role in such rituals.