Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has warned officials of stringent action, including dismissal, if they fail to complete drinking water projects by the end of February.

Chairing the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) progress review meeting at the auditorium of the Regional Commissioner’s office here on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah took Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Chief Executive Engineer and other officials to task for not completing various programmes under multi-village schemes (MVS). The CM, in a meeting held on Mysuru district in Bengaluru on January 7, 2015, had approved 17 water supply programmes under MVS but only a few of them have been completed.

MLA Chikkamadu alleged that substandard works have been executed at Sinimanahalli in H D Kote taluk. He said, though the works have been completed, water is not being supplied because the pipelines are damaged. He alleged that low quality pipes had been used.

An official said the delay was because of the laxity on part of the contractors in taking up the works, and also due to the hurdles in meeting the director Central Ground Water Board Director.

The CM asked officials to complete the projects by February-end. He also asked them to complete multi-village drinking water projects by March.

Siddaramaiah directed the district administration and the zilla panchayat officials to ensure sufficient drinking water and fodder for cattle in the district.

He said there would be a delay in pre-monsoon showers and thus the authorities should be prepared to ensure sufficient water in the district. Compared to normal years, the district has recorded 45% less rainfall between January and December 2016.

Siddaramaiah directed Deputy Commissioner D Randeep and ZP Chief Executive Officer P Shivashankar to ensure adequate water supply. “Convince private borewell owners to provide water on rental basis. The DC has all the powers to take over the borewells and it is better to convince farmers rather than trying to force them,” the CM said.

He asked the DC to prepare a comprehensive report on the drinking water and also to take measures to sink borewells under MLA and MLC grants and under Task Force.

The DC said at present 26 water tankers are supplying 74 loads of water to villages in Mysuru and Nanjangud taluks everyday. He said the number of tankers would be increased if necessary. The district has sufficient funds to supply drinking water, he said.

Siddaramaiah directed Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) to withdraw a complaint lodged against a farmer for pilfering power. A farmer from Bolarahalli in Hunsur taluk was using an irrigation pump (IP) to supply drinking water to villagers and thus the authorities of the Vigilance Cell of CESC had filed a case against him. “Don’t go by the rules on the matters pertaining to drinking water. It’s a human need and should be made available for all. The police department should analyse the issues before filing cases against borewell owners,” he said.

Siddarmaiah said as the farmers are reeling under severe drought the state government would reduce the fodder price to Rs 1.5 per kg. At present, fodder is available at Rs 3 per kg at fodder banks. The government procures fodder from farmers at Rs 6 per kg.

The CM urged the authorities to ensure enough fodder to the cattle, and asked the DC to distribute mini kits and encourage farmers to grow fodder.

Siddaramaiah said state government would distribute compensation to drought-hit farmers once Union government releases the funds. The Union government is expected to release the funds in February second week.

The state government has sought a grant of Rs 4,702 crore to take up drought relief works in the state but the Centre has sanctioned only Rs 1,782 crore, he added.

District in-charge Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, ZP president Nayeema Sultana, Mayor N J Ravikumar, MP R Dhruvanarayan, MLAs G T Devegowda, Chikkamadu, Sa Ra Mahesh, H P Manjunath, K Venkatesh and M K Somashekar, MLCs K T Srikantegowda and Sandesh Nagaraj were present.