MANGALURU (TNN): Deputy leader of opposition in the assembly and Mangaluru MLA UT Khader demanded that state government release special grants to solve drinking water crisis in all assembly constituencies across the state.

He told reporters here on Tuesday that the Congress-led government in the past used to release Rs 30 lakh to each assembly constituency to manage the water crisis. “People are put to hardship as the ministers in the BJP government are busy with the Vijaysankalpa Yatra in the state,” Khader said.

The government should direct district administrations to arrange the distribution of water using tankers in all affected areas. Respective district ministers and district administrations should convene meetings of district level task forces and prepare contingency plans to mitigate the water woes, he said.

People are facing an acute shortage of water in many parts of the state. Earlier, grants were being released to constituencies to dig wells and borewells, thereby ensuring supply of water during summer, Khader added.

Calling the Vijaysankalpa Yatra of the BJP a ‘40% yatra’, Khader pointed out that the state government has failed to find solutions to the problems that people in the state are facing.

“Why does the BJP hold the Vijaysankalpa Yatra if they have actually done good works? CM’s assurance on report card has not yet materialised,” he remarked.