Bangalore:
Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda said that the state is not in a position to release water to Andhra Pradesh from Narayanpur dam because of the drought situation in the state.
"When the state is reeling under severe drought, how is it possible to release water to Andhra Pradesh? We have already clarified our stand in this matter and Andhra Pradesh should understand our real difficulties",Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda told reporters on Tuesday at Inchageri village.
Mr Gowda said that the government was seriously contemplating waiving farmers' loans. "We are studying drought situation in detail and will soon take a decision on the matter," he said.
The Chief Minister said that the government has so far spent over 400 crore rupees on the drought relief work. Three teams comprising of 15 ministers would visit the drought hit areas every 15 days to monitor relief work and report the situation to him, he said.
Mr Gowda said crop worth Rs 4,248 crore had been lost due to drought and the government has already sought relief from the Centre.
He said that Karnataka expected Maharashtra to release two thousand million cubic feet of water soon to tide over the water scarcity in some drought hit districts.