Prepare contingency plan for sowing amid delayed monsoon: Official

Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Secretary to the Government, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, reviews the progress of various departments during a district-level review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kalaburagi on Saturday (July 4). | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

With the southwest monsoon remaining weak and signs of a drought-like situation emerging in Kalaburagi district, Pankaj Kumar Pandey, secretary to the government, ministry of personnel and administrative reforms and secretary to the minister in-charge of Kalaburagi district, on Saturday (July 4) directed officials to prepare a contingency plan for the ongoing Kharif sowing season.

After reviewing the progress of various departments in the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Mr. Pandey instructed the officials to ensure adequate supply of seeds and fertilizers so that farmers do not face shortage if the rainfall does not improve in the coming days.

He asked officials of the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture to visit villages regularly, interact with farmers and address their concerns. He stressed the need to instill confidence among farmers affected by the prolonged drought and directed officials to prevent any artificial shortage or overpricing of seeds and fertilizers.

Reviewing the water situation in the reservoirs, Mr. Pandey said contingency measures should be put in place to ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water if rainfall deficit persists. He directed officials to make alternative arrangements using wells and boreholes if necessary, ensure water supply to Kalaburagi town from Narayanpur reservoir, provide water from tankers to affected localities and maintain adequate stock of fodder for livestock.

Municipal Commissioner Avinash Shinde said a detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared for the ₹1,850 crore project to bring drinking water from the Narayanpur reservoir to Kalaburagi. He added that the civic association currently supplies over 160 cisterns of water per day to localities facing shortages.

Kharif problems

Joint Director of Agriculture Samad Patel said only 30% of the kharif sowing target was achieved in the district due to insufficient rainfall. Against the kharif target of 8.91 lakh hectares, sowing progressed slowly, with several talukas yet to receive adequate rainfall. He said 20,301 quintals of seeds had already been distributed and 6,395 quintals remained in stock while 33,725 tons of fertilizers were available after distribution of 45,935 tons.

Mr. Patel said surveillance at inter-state check posts has been strengthened to prevent diversion of fertilisers, including DAP, into neighboring states. Teams from the Ministry of Agriculture inspected 168 shops selling agricultural products, flagged 51 violations and revoked the licenses of four vendors.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Rayappa Hunasagi said all revenue records in 11 taluks in the district have been digitized under the Bhu Suraksha programme. Aadhaar seeding of land records has reached 84.87% while 43,061 government plots have been fenced under the Land Beat initiative. Mr. Pandey said the state government plans to use AI and satellite imagery to detect encroachments on government land and asked officials to achieve 100% progress in the geo-fencing exercise.

He also asked officials to identify land banks that would attract industrial investment and take advantage of the district’s national highways, airports and the upcoming Surat-Chennai Industrial Corridor. He proposed that industries use treated wastewater to reduce dependence on fresh water resources.

Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff, Zilla Panchayat CEO Rahul Sankanur and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting.

Published – 04 Jul 2026 20:02 IST