Latest news with #NSBoseraju
Time of India
15-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Karnataka govt's decision to build check-dams, ponds pays off as they help improve groundwater recharge rate
Substantial investments in constructing water conservation structures (WCS) such as check-dams, lakes and tanks by Karnataka govt paid off BENGALURU: Substantial investments in constructing water conservation structures (WCS) such as check-dams , lakes and tanks paid off as they considerably helped recharge groundwater in 2024 after traditional recharge methods through rainfall, surface water and groundwater irrigation (SWI & GWI), failed. This, despite copious rain. Following drought in 2023, the groundwater recharge rate dropped by 3% in 2024 (compared to 2023) although reservoirs and water bodies were filled to the brim. Minor irrigation department data shows the state's groundwater recharge rate dropped from 18.9 ham (hectare meters) to 18.7 ham. The rate during both monsoon seasons also dropped from 10.34BCM (billion cubicmeters) to 10.3BCM — a first such decrease since 2022. 'Failure of both monsoons in 2023 and deficit rainfall until mid-2024 had a long-drawn impact on groundwater recharge,' said NS Boseraju, minister for minor irrigation. 'Even though Karnataka recorded bounteous rainfall in 2024, the onset of the monsoon was delayed, affecting recharge through rain. We hope rain towards the end of 2024improved the recharge rate. This data will reflect in the 2025 analysis.' In 2023, Karnataka recorded 872mm rainfall as against 1,100mm-1,200mm annual rainfall — a 24% deficit. An engineer from the irrigation department said: 'Data shows a 1% to 3% decrease in recharge rate depending on the source and type of recharge method.' Shrinking agricultural area also contributed to apoor recharge rate. 'Surface and groundwater irrigation methods hugely contribute to groundwater recharge. But surface water irrigation dropped by 1.8% and return flow from groundwater irrigation fell by 3.5%,' said another engineer. WCS to the rescue However, unlike traditional recharge methods, recharge through WCS improved considerably. Data shows that the recharge rate through WCS rose from 0.63BCM (2023) to 0.81BCM (2024) — a 28.6% rise. These structures were built under various schemes including Jal Jeevan Mission and Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY). The govt's move to desilt tanks and lakes, including under MGNREGA, also paid off handsomely. Boseraju said: 'In 2023, the state had only 1.9 lakh such structures, but their numbers increased to 3.1 lakh, a rise of 66%,' he said. 'The number of ponds and tanks also increased from 33,000 to 39,000 (18.7%). This helped increase the recharge rate by 10% compared to what it was in 2023.' Boseraju also said the govt ensured lakes were filled with river and treated water throughout the year (365 days) rather than only during the monsoon months (120 days).
Hans India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Show commitment to securing AIIMS in Raichur before staging rallies
Bengaluru: Minister for Minor Irrigation and Science & Technology, N S Boseraju, has urged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to demonstrate their commitment to securing an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for Raichur before undertaking political rallies in the district. In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, the minister criticised the BJP-led central government for its continued inaction on granting AIIMS sta-tus to Raichur, a long-standing demand from the people of the region. He not-ed that despite sustained public agitations and repeated appeals by state leaders, MPs, MLAs, and civil society groups, the Union government has failed to re-spond positively. 'Thousands of days have passed since the demand for AIIMS in Raichur was first raised, but the Centre has not shown any serious intent. The anger among the people of Raichur is directed at the central government,' said Boseraju. He further alleged that the BJP-led NDA government has dealt social, political, and economic blows to Raichur and the broader Kalyana Karnataka region, which enjoys special status under Article 371(J) of the Constitution. He re-minded that it was the UPA government that eventually accorded this constitu-tional recognition, and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had allocated Rs5,000 crore for the region's development during his tenure. Boseraju also highlighted that the Nanjundappa Committee had recommended setting up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Raichur to spur educa-tional and economic development. However, the previous BJP government allegedly shifted the proposal to Dharwad, ignoring the interests of the back-ward Raichur district. 'Even after promising AIIMS for Raichur, BJP leaders have failed to deliver. The promise remains unfulfilled. Multiple representations have been made to the Prime Minister, Union Health Minister, and other concerned authorities, but we have not received any positive response,' the minister said. He criticised BJP leaders from Karnataka for choosing political grandstanding over developmental responsibility. 'They should protest against the Centre's economic policies, including rising prices of gas, petrol, and diesel, instead of targeting the state government,' he added. Calling for accountability, Boseraju demanded that BJP leaders from Karna-taka—especially those holding ministerial posts at the Centre—should focus on addressing the genuine concerns of backward regions like Raichur. 'Let them first secure AIIMS for Raichur before staging political events here,' he urged.
