As if on cue, former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa has announced he would embark on a state-wide tour to take stock of drought relief works
Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda’s condemnation of holding rallies and political conventions when the state is reeling under drought hit its target on Tuesday, with former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa announcing he would embark on a state-wide tour to take stock of drought relief works.
Yeddyurappa’s declaration came a day after Gowda, in a veiled attack on the former CM, said: “It is not the time for organising felicitation functions and conventions when 123 taluks are hit by drought and people are struggling to get even drinking water.” Gowda also urged those who are organising such conventions to donate the money to dig borewells and feed the poor in drought-hit areas.
Yeddyurappa announced he would start visiting drought-hit areas on Tuesday to assess the plight of people. He said that in the first phase, he would cover Bijapur, Bagalkot, Bidar, Gulbarga, Koppal, Bellary and Gulbarga. He would see if arrangements have been made to provide drinking water, supply fodder for cattle and opening of gruel centres to feed the poor.
Replying to questions about Gowda’s comments, he said: “The world looks yellow to those suffering from jaundice. They will find fault with whatever I do. I am not bothered about such people. I will go on with my job of reaching out to the people.” He stated that he would hold meetings with local legislators and officials during his visit and submit a report to Gowda about the ground realities of relief work.
He urged Gowda to release a special grant of `5 crore for each drought-affected district, make arrangements to procure fodder for cattle from neighbouring states and urge Maharashtra to release water from Koyna Dam into the Krishna river basin so that Karnataka can tide over the water crisis.
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