Bangalore, July 19: Karnataka minister of state for revenue M Mallikarjuna Nagappa today informed the legislative council that 43 taluks in the state had been declared as drought affected. To a question jointly raised by Mukhyamantri Chandru (BJP) and Rajanna (Cong) during question hour, the minister said the state government had released Rs 17.5 crore for drought relief works during 2002-2003.

The state had already spent Rs 27.91 crore under the natural calamity fund for the purpose till end of June, Nagappa said.

To combat water scarcity, Rs 21.4 crore had been released by the urban and rural development departments for digging borewells in drought-affected areas in the state, he added.
Bureau Report