Latest news with #KarnatakaDevelopmentProgramme
The Hindu
4 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Mandya KDP review meeting conducted, replenishment of lakes emphasised
Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy directed the officials in Mandya to accord priority to replenish lakes in the tail-end region of the Cauvery command area as the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir was full. He was chairing a review meeting of the Karnataka Development Programme in Mandya on Saturday. Mr. Cheluvaraswamy, who is also the Minister in charge of Mandya district, said that if there were issues related to replenishment of lakes with the farmers in the upstream region of the command area, then the MLAs in that area should be consulted. The Minister ruled out shortage of fertilizers in the district, but expressed concern that an artificial scarcity may be created. He instructed the officials to ensure that fertilizer dealers display the stock available, and called for crackdown on any illegal stockpiling of fertilizers. Noting that crop loss tends to be heavy due to the vagaries of nature, the Minister instructed the agriculture department officials to create greater awareness among farmers of the benefits of crop insurance. Farmers are required to pay only 2% of the premium, and it will be highly beneficial during droughts or heavy rains, he added. The officials made a presentation pertaining to water availability in various lakes, and it was pointed out that there were 968 waterbodies in Mandya district, out of which 302 were full to the brim due to copious rains. There were 164 lakes that had more than 75% water collection, while 125 lakes had 50% to 75% storage. There were 184 lakes with a storage between 25% and 50%, while 192 lakes had storage below 25%. It was then that the Minister intervened and instructed that priority should be accorded to replenish the lakes as the KRS was full. With regard to agriculture, the Minister was informed that 44,596 hectares of land had been brought under sowing against a target of 1,92,103 hectares. Sugarcane, paddy, ragi, groundnut, maize, alasande or cow peas, sesame, black gram, etc., had been taken up by the farmers. With respect to the multi-village water supply scheme, the officials said that the Jaladhare scheme covering 794 habitations in K.R. Pet, Nagamangala, and Pandavapura was being implemented at a cost of ₹943 crore, and 60% of the works had been completed. The project is expected to be fully commissioned by January 2026. The second scheme, covering 396 habitations in Maddur and Mandya taluks, was being implemented at a cost of ₹372.92 crore, and land acquisition and material procurement for it was under progress. The third scheme, covering 168 habitations in Maddur and Mandya, will cost ₹230.18 crore, and land acquisition for the same was under progress. The Jaladhare scheme, covering habitations in Malavalli and Srirangapatana, was also in the land acquisition stage and financial bids had been invited. The drinking water project under Jaladhare scheme will cover 1,593 habitations, and cost ₹1,836.64 crore, the officials stated in their presentation. Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, P.M. Narendraswamy, H.T. Manju, and Darshan Puttannaiah — MLAs; K. Vivekananda, MLC; Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, K.R. Nandini, ZP CEO, and others were present.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
620 farmers died by suicide in Karnataka's Mandya district in 10 years
As many as 620 farmers died by suicide in Mandya district in 10 years between 2015-16 and 2024-25. This came to light during the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review meeting held in Mandya on Saturday. A comprehensive presentation on various issues and programmes was made to the district in charge Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy, who was informed about farmer suicides as well. It has transpired that the highest number of farmer suicides was reported in 2015-16, when there were 124 such incidents, followed by 100 suicides in 2017-18. There has been a steady decline, though, with minor variations in the numbers since then, with 39 farmer suicides reported in 2023-24. The authorities said that compensation was awarded with respect to 531 such cases. (Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to these 24/7 helplines: KIRAN at 1800-599-0019 or Arogya Sahayavani at 104)
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Ensure timely supply for fertilizers to farmers: official
K.V. Trilok Chandra, Commissioner of the Department of School Education and Administrative Officer of the Zilla Panchayat, who also serves as District In-Charge Secretary, emphasised the need for proactive measures to ensure adequate and timely fertilizer supply to meet farmers' requirements during the ongoing monsoon season. Chairing the quarterly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review meeting in Ballari on Saturday, Mr. Trilok Chandra sought details about the fertilizer availability in the district. The Joint Director of Agriculture said that the district's demand for fertilizers until the end of July stood at 27,025 tonnes, against which, 34,163 tonnes were stocked (including opening stock) and, of which, 25,887 tonnes had been distributed, and 8,286 tonnes remained in reserve. The officer informed the meeting that the supply and distribution were being managed as per the department's planning, and added that there had been consistent demand from farmers for urea. 'District-level fertilizer inspectors have been carrying out surprise inspections at wholesale and retail outlets to monitor stock and pricing. Efforts are also under way to promote the use of nano-fertilizers and raise awareness about the harmful effects of unscientific usage of urea, in line with directives from the Centre and State,' the official said. Reacting to this, Mr. Chandra directed officials to report any instances of fertilizer being sold at inflated prices or hoarded artificially, to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police immediately. He called for prompt implementation of agriculture and horticulture schemes, while stressing the need to promote animal husbandry in the district. When Mr. Chandra took up the public health issues for review and instructed the officials to ensure that quality treatment and essential facilities were available in government hospitals, Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Mishra intervened and raised concerns over the functioning of BMCRC (Ballari Medical College and Research Centre). 'My office has received repeated public complaints about the unavailability of ambulances, doctors, medicines, blood, and even basic equipment such as wheelchairs, and the conduct of outsourced staff and home guards, that they are not responding appropriately to public needs. Worse, the BMCRC Director is avoiding review meetings called for addressing the issues,' he said adding that the priority should be given to strengthening healthcare delivery instead of focusing merely on infrastructure tenders. Mr. Chandra instructed all department heads to focus on the proper implementation of schemes under their jurisdiction and to work actively towards achieving the set targets. Highlighting a Karnataka High Court order, he directed the Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Women and Child Development Officer, and officials of Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited (Gescom) to immediately survey and remove any overhead electric lines running across Anganwadis and schools. To combat malnutrition, Mr. Chandra told officials to ensure regular health check-ups and treatment for children up to 18 years of age under the National Child Health Programme, focusing particularly on congenital disorders and developmental delays. He urged officials to improve the quality of education for students residing in government hostels by providing better facilities and taking targeted measures to enhance academic outcomes in the district. The meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Haris Sumair, Superintendent of Police Shobha Rani V.J., various heads of departments, and Taluk Panchayat Executive Officers.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Karnataka forging ahead despite constraints: CM
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday accused the Centre of 'reducing the state's urea allocation', leading to a shortage at a time when sowing activity is in full swing following good rainfall. He said the state has received favourable rains this season and that sowing activity has picked up significantly. However, he claimed the reduced supply of urea has led to a shortage, affecting farmers during this crucial period. During a review meeting with district in-charge ministers, cabinet colleagues, and legislators on governance and development issues, the chief minister's office shared these observations. Against the requirement of 11.17 lakh metric tonnes (MT) between April and July, only 5.17 lakh MT has been supplied, resulting in a shortfall of 1.66 lakh MT, he said. 'The allocation was curtailed despite an increase in hybrid jowar sowing by two lakh hectares this year. Despite the Centre's non-cooperation, our farmers should not face any hardship,' he claimed. Calling the BJP's protests over the issue 'politically motivated' and 'shameful', Siddaramaiah urged legislators to clarify the situation to their constituents. He also blamed the previous BJP government for what he termed as 'financial mismanagement', and alleged that works worth Rs 2.70 lakh crore were undertaken without budgetary allocation, including Rs 1.66 lakh crore under the then chief minister's discretionary quota, leaving behind unpaid bills of over Rs 72,000 crore. The CM claimed that Karnataka's share of central taxes had been reduced by 23 per cent under the 15th Finance Commission, resulting in a loss of over Rs 68,000 crore in the last five years. Despite such losses, the state continues to spend Rs 52,000 crore annually on guarantee schemes and Rs 1.12 lakh crore on social pensions, subsidies, and other beneficiary-oriented programmes, he added. Implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations has increased the state's salary and pension bill to Rs 1.24 lakh crore this year, he said, adding that Rs 83,200 crore is being invested in capital expenditure—20.03 per cent of the state budget—one of the highest in the country. An additional Rs 45,600 crore is being spent on debt servicing, he added. Referring to central data, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka now ranks first in the country in per capita income at constant prices, at Rs 2,04,605 for 2024-25. Citing studies, he said the 'Shakti' scheme has contributed to a 23 per cent rise in women's employment in Bengaluru and 21 per cent in Dharwad. 'These are encouraging indicators,' he said. 'Despite the Centre's non-cooperation and the financial mess left by the previous government, we are steering the administration in a better direction,' he claimed. Siddaramaiah also emphasised the need for effective implementation of budgetary promises and directed ministers and legislators to actively participate in Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meetings. 'These meetings must be used to address people's grievances, technical hurdles in project implementation, bureaucratic delays, and negligence,' he added. Highlighting Karnataka's economic progress, he urged MLAs to inform voters that the state's five guarantee schemes (Gruha Lakshmi, Shakti, Gruha Jyothi, Anna Bhagya and Yuva Nidhi) were key contributors to the improvement in per capita income. 'This is a matter of pride for the state,' he added. He thanked legislators for their cooperation and announced a special grant of Rs 50 crore for developmental works, calling for its optimal and transparent utilisation. The meeting also reviewed district-wise development activities, agricultural progress, and the utilisation of released funds, with officials instructed to expedite project execution with clear deadlines.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
The Minister releases a handbook on the Home Health Programme
Medical Education and district in charge Minister Sharan Prakash Patil has released a handbook containing the details about the Home Health Programme, an ambitious project implemented by the State government, in Raichur on Friday, during the chairing of a quarterly Karnataka Development Programme meeting. The project, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on October 24, 2024, aims to strengthen the health checkup and maintenance on non contagious diseases. 'Under the project, the health workers deliver health services to every individual visiting their residing places by creating awareness about high blood pressure, diabetes or diabetes-related foot problems (diabetic foot) and eye problems (diabetic retinopathy), chronic kidney, liver, and lung disease, sleep apnoea, oral, breast, and cervical cancer, anaemia, and mental and neurological diseases,' Dr. Patil said. Free treatment for non-contagious diseases from the beginning stage and distribution of free medicines for diabetic patients and those who suffer from high blood pressure are the prime concepts of the project. The Minister also released a poster on the Yuvanidhi registration drive.
