Karnataka CM pins hopes on cloud seeding

Chief minister Jagadish Shettar has said cloud seeding is the only option left before the state government to minimise the gravity of water shortage in drought-hit areas, as monsoon is playing truant this year too.

The chief minister told reporters on Friday that the government would wait for 15-20 days to asses the situation. “If the state fails to receive good rainfall, we would go for cloud seeding,” he said.
In the month of June the state received 37% of normal rainfall and in July first week it was 40%. The shortage of rain has affected agricultural activities in the several parts of the state. Out of the 74.7 lakh hectares of agricultural land in the state, sowing activities have taken place in just 10 lakh hectares.

Shettar has announced Rs1 crore each 123 taluks in the state, which are hit by drought. An allocation of Rs40 crore has also been released to address drinking water problems.

The chief minister held a video conference with deputy commissioners (DCs), the first after assuming charge. The government has already sought a report from Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Management (IITM) to asses the viability of cloud seeding in drought-hit areas, especially northern areas.

“We know the fact that the success rate in cloud seeding is not satisfactory. But we have no options if the present situation further aggravates. We will give it a try, if we continue to receive low rainfall,” said the chief minister.

Shettar cautioned DCs against inadequate spending of funds under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) programme. In the current fiscal some districts have spent a meagre amount under MNREGA. Raichur has spent Rs4 crore out of allocated Rs109 crore, Koppal has spent Rs2.5 crore out of Rs59 crore. Bellary, Yadgir, Belgaum and other district have also recorded poor spending.

Ironically, Shettar himself was the rural development and panchayat raj minister in the Sadananda Gowda cabinet.