Raichur ZP orders crop loss survey before harvest in drought-hit areas

Raichur Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Ishwar Kumar Kandoo has directed officials of the concerned departments to carry out a crop loss assessment in drought-affected parts of the district so that farmers receive compensation without delay.

Chairing a quarterly review of development progress in Raichur on Friday, he said the survey should be finished before harvesting of the remaining crops begins. Crops over most of the cultivated area in the district have withered drastically, he noted.

Mr. Kandoo warned that faulty or inaccurate assessment would sharply reduce the compensation actually due to affected farmers. He asked officers to take every step needed to record accurate data so that relief reaches all deserving farmers.

Drinking water and canal monitoring

Turning to the district's acute drinking water shortage, the CEO instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan to supply water to vulnerable villages through multiple modes, including the hiring of private borewells. He said the State government has already released ₹1 crore for each Assembly constituency to ease drinking water scarcity.

On irrigation, he said personnel from the Revenue and Panchayat Raj departments would be deployed in shifts to monitor water flow in the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal and ensure that it reaches farmers at the tail end.

Sanitation, tax recovery and welfare funds

To improve basic amenities and maintain streetlights in rural areas, officials were told to launch a drive to recover long-pending tax dues owed to local bodies. They were also directed to complete a door-to-door survey of existing household toilets across the district before October 2.

During the meeting, Mr. Kandoo distributed safety kits meant to assist local personnel and the public during natural disasters, fire hazards and flood emergencies.

He said approval has been granted for the release of funds from the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board for the scheme supplying nutritious food to anganwadis under the 'Poushtika Raichur' initiative. Funds have also been released by NITI Aayog to set up a 'Shakti Kendra' in Maski taluk under the Aspirational Blocks Programme, and immediate action would be taken to use them, he added.