BELLARY: The Department of Agriculture fears a loss of yield to the tune of 40 per cent as the khariff crop sown in most of the area are withering owing to moisture stress. This was despite the fact that the district had received a little more than normal average rainfall this year.

The general body of the Bellary Zilla Panchayat, which met here on Monday with Durgamma, president in the chair, unanimously resolved to urge the State Government to immediately take up drought relief works in the district. Srinivas, Joint Director of Agriculture, said owing to the early onset of monsoon sowing operations were taken up in most parts of the district. Later, the district reeled under a long dry spell. Though it received follow-up rains it was not wide spread. Except in Hadagali, crops such as jowar, maize and sunflower were withering in other taluks, he said. Rain received in the fag end of this month has, however, helped the crops recover, he added. As against the targeted area of 3.59 lakh hectares, sowing operations had been completed in about 72 per cent of the area. The district received around 271 mm rainfall as against the normal rainfall of 251 up to July 31. B. Sriramulu, Minister for Tourism, Textile and Infrastructure Development, who is also the in-charge Minister of the district, underlined the need to lay more emphasis towards health and education to ensure development of the district. Mallikarjuniah of Janata Dal (Secular) urged the chair to adopt a resolution asking the Government to take steps to prevent illegal mining activities and protect the natural resources and environment. K.S.L. Swamy, MLC, K.A. Ramalingappa, vice-president and members Akki Thotesh, G. Umesh, Suryababu were present.

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