Survey to decide on Malaprabha water release for crops: Jarkiholi

Belagavi: Public Works Department and District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi directed officials from the Agriculture, Horticulture and Revenue Departments, along with the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL), to conduct a joint survey and submit a report on the feasibility of releasing water from the Malaprabha reservoir for one crop, given the low storage level in the dam.He also directed officials to submit a report on why sunflower and soybean crops had been excluded from the mid-season assessment for crop insurance.Jarkiholi was presiding over the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review meeting at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here on Wednesday.He said the Malaprabha reservoir currently had around 21 TMC ft of water.Water required for drinking purpose up to the end of June 2027 would be reserved, and the possibility of releasing the remaining water for agricultural purpose would be examined, subject to availability.Malaprabha river dries up, leaving farmers, villages in distressMLA Vishwas Vaidya urged the authorities to release water into the canals by the end of the month or during the first week of October to benefit farmers.MLA Mahantesh Koujalgi said there was no objection to releasing water into the canals, but officials should inspect the respective areas before taking a decision.“There should be no shortage of drinking water, and the release should benefit agriculture. Necessary action should be taken accordingly,” he said.Jarkiholi directed officials to visit the locations, assess the situation and submit a report on the water requirement for agricultural crops. Similar reports should also be obtained from officials of Dharwad, Gadag and Bagalkot districts, he said.Soybean compensationMLAs Mahantesh Koujalgi and Babasaheb Patil said soybean yields had been affected in Channammana Kittur and Bailhongal taluks due to inadequate rains.They pointed out that the crop insurance scheme provided for interim compensation for crops affected during the season, but soybean had not been included in the mid-season assessment.Agriculture Department officials said interim compensation was being provided in the district for green gram, black gram, maize, groundnut, sunflower, cotton and pearl millet. However, soybean yields in Bailhongal and Channammana Kittur taluks had not declined by more than 50%, and hence the crop had not been considered eligible for interim compensation.Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan assured the meeting that he would discuss the matter with insurance companies and take steps to explore the provision of interim compensation for soybean as well.Local contractorsMinister Jarkiholi directed officials to give priority to local contractors while awarding contracts for various departmental works in the district.He also instructed officials to take steps to establish at least one hostel in every taluk for students from Scheduled communities.He further directed that a separate meeting involving elected representatives be convened to review the progress of the Social Welfare, Minority Welfare and Backward Classes Welfare departments.

Source: Deccan Herald