There is no shortage of funds to handle drought, says Eshwar Khandre

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre has said that there is no shortage of funds to handle the drought situation in the State. The State government has released ₹306 crore for drinking water supply and other drought-relief works.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Shivamogga on Sunday (October 25, 2026), Mr. Khandre said that, in addition to this amount, the Deputy Commissioners also had sufficient funds at their disposal. “The State government is well prepared to handle the drought. There is no shortage of funds to ensure drinking water supply in rural areas,” he said.

Officers have been instructed to ensure drinking water supply either through tankers or by hiring private borewells. “There is no need to worry. If any borewell dries up, an alternative arrangement will be made within 24 hours. We are prepared to handle the situation in rural areas,” he said.

On the elections to rural local bodies, Mr. Khandre said that the State government had already issued the draft notification on the delimitation of constituencies and reservation. The elections would be held either at the end of December or in January 2027. “The deadline for filing objections to the draft notification was October 19. The final notification will be issued after the objections are reviewed,” he said.

Felicitation

Mr. Khandre took part in a felicitation programme organised by the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha in Shivamogga. The Mahasabha had chosen his late father, Bheemanna Khandre, for the Keladi Shivappa Nayaka Award for 2023-24. Mr. Eshwar Khandre received the award on his father’s behalf.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Khandre said that Veerashaiva and Lingayat were two sides of the same coin and that nobody could divide the community. He said he would visit the Anubhava Mantapa being constructed at Basava Kalyana at a cost of ₹750 crore, and that efforts would be made to complete the construction before the next Basava Jayanti.

Responding to the Mahasabha’s demand to declare Malnad as “Keladi Karnataka,” the Minister said he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister.

Major Deeksha C. Mudadevannanavar of the Indian Army Medical Corps, who became the first woman officer to receive the Para Special Forces’ Balidaan Badge, was honoured with the Keladi Chennamma Award.

Member of Parliament B.Y. Raghavendra, seers of various mutts were present at the programme.