Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra has urged the State government to clear pending electricity bills for six major lift irrigation projects under the Department of Water Resources so that water can be distributed to farmers in the coming weeks.

During a meeting with district officers on Thursday, Mr. Raghavendra stated that the government has accumulated unpaid electricity charges totalling ₹32 crore for these projects over the past three years. “While abundant rainfall in the preceding two years reduced dependence on these facilities, the current monsoon deficit has made them critical for crop survival. Unless the outstanding bills are cleared immediately, we cannot operate these projects,” he said.

He emphasised that delays in clearance would severely impact irrigation-dependent farmers already facing water stress from rainfall deficits across the district.

Storm damage, compensation

Mr. Raghavendra also raised the plight of areca growers in Shivamogga Rural constituency who suffered severe crop losses during high-velocity winds in April and May. Nearly 1,000 hectares of areca plantations were damaged, and hundreds of residential structures sustained significant harm.

“The State government must recognise the magnitude of these losses and provide compensation beyond the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms,” he said, appealing for relief measures commensurate with farmer losses.

Weather monitoring infra

Mr. Raghavendra also directed district officers to ensure rain-gauge centres and weather forecasting facilities are fully operational so that farmers receive timely alerts and weather advisories for better farm management decisions.

Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti, Zilla Panchayat CEO N. Hemanth, and other officials attended the meeting.