K’taka govt to declare drought in 102 taluks: Dy CM

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday that the state government is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the drought situation and is likely to declare drought in 102 taluks at the next Cabinet meeting after examining the ground‑truthing reports.

Speaking to reporters near his residence in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said the government had received ground‑truthing reports from 102 taluks and would discuss them at the next Cabinet meeting.

“We will declare drought in accordance with the criteria prescribed by the Centre. We will review the drought situation every week,” he said.

Parameshwara said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had also formed teams to assess the drought situation but had neither discussed their findings in the Assembly nor submitted a report or representation to the Chief Minister or the Revenue Minister.

“There is a drinking water shortage in the state, and farmers have suffered crop losses. The Opposition should discuss these issues and offer suggestions. Instead, they engaged in politics in the Assembly,” he said.

Responding to a question about former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s reported statement that he had urged the Congress high command to make Parameshwara the Deputy Chief Minister, Parameshwara said the statement was true.

“When Siddaramaiah resigned, he had said that Parameshwara should be made Chief Minister. The high command did not consider it. He had also said that I should be made Deputy Chief Minister,” Parameshwara said.

On questions about Minister B. Nagendra’s possible resignation, Parameshwara said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was likely to travel to Delhi on Wednesday or Thursday and that the issue could come up for discussion if he met the Congress high command.

He dismissed speculation about a Cabinet reshuffle, saying any such decision would depend on the high command.

“There is no mention of Nagendra’s name in any chargesheet. I have been Home Minister and have information about this. A decision on whether the CBI should investigate the matter will be taken after a discussion in the Cabinet,” he said.

Parameshwara also accused the BJP of resorting to political tactics by taking out a padayatra over the issue.

“We had said that we were ready to answer questions in the Assembly. They are now holding protests,” he said.

On opposition to the proposed use of five pc of park land, Parameshwara said the land would be used for public purposes.

“It will be clear when the Corporation takes a specific decision on the matter,” he said.

On the proposal to levy charges for vehicles parked along roadsides, Parameshwara said the issue had been discussed even when he was Bengaluru in‑charge minister.

“Roads are meant for people to travel. If vehicles are parked on both sides, the roads themselves cannot be seen. Discussions are underway on this issue, and a decision will be known later,” he said.

Responding to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement that reservation and internal reservation were necessary to eliminate inequality, Parameshwara said the state government had already completed the implementation of internal reservation.

“Internal reservation is now a settled matter. Our government implemented internal reservation following a struggle that had continued for many years,” he said.

However, he noted that the implementation had been challenged in court, given the Supreme Court’s position that overall reservation should not exceed 50 per cent.

“Internal reservation has been implemented within these limitations,” Parameshwara said.

IANS