Bengaluru: More than 100 taluks in Karnataka are likely to be declared drought-hit, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said, adding that a final decision will be taken after an assessment of the ground situation.
Speaking to the media at Home Office Krishna, Shivakumar said officials have been given guidelines on the role of MLAs in drought management. He said a detailed assessment of 102 taluks is under way and the government will announce the drought-hit areas after completing the field-level study.
He added that more taluks could be included in the drought-hit list if the situation warrants it. Shivakumar also said he would lead a delegation to the Centre to seek financial assistance for drought relief. The government has allocated ₹1 crore for drinking water arrangements, he said.
On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Shivakumar claimed that the names of more than one crore people had been removed from the voter list. He said the state government would take steps to ensure that eligible voters do not face difficulties in exercising their franchise.
The Election Commission has been urged to conduct booth-level meetings and make the revised voter lists available to the public, he said. MLAs have also been asked to create awareness among citizens about the importance of protecting their voting rights.
On Bengaluru’s environmental development, Shivakumar said the government plans to expand green spaces by developing parks across more than 5,000 acres. Areas including Turahalli Forest, Thottikallu, BM Kaval Forest, Basavanthpur, Mandur and Jyothipur have been identified for the initiative.
The proposed expansion of green spaces, he said, will focus on environmental conservation while also contributing to the city’s long-term water security.
