Bengaluru, April 16 (NationPress) Karnataka's Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, expressed concerns on Thursday regarding the potential impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on this year's fertiliser supply.

During a meeting he chaired at the Vidhana Soudha, which was attended by district in-charge ministers, Deputy Commissioners, and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats, he reviewed the drinking water supply situation in both rural and urban areas.

He instructed officials to take measures against hoarding by traders and ensure that farmers have timely access to fertilisers. A proper distribution system for urea and diammonium phosphate is crucial, and transportation to other states should be closely monitored with stricter regulations at border check-posts.

The Chief Minister also emphasized the need for swift responses to public complaints regarding drinking water. Control rooms should be established at the taluk and ward levels, and district-level task forces must be actively engaged.

All reverse osmosis units are to operate continuously with a reliable power supply, and teams should be available at the taluk level to handle immediate repairs and address drinking water supply issues.

He noted that while there is currently no immediate fodder shortage due to favorable rainfall over the past two years, officials must ensure its continued availability without complacency.

Meetings for task forces on drinking water should be conducted in each taluk, with reports to be submitted, he instructed.

Officials were also urged to take precautions to prevent the supply of contaminated water and associated health risks. It is the responsibility of the Deputy Commissioners to prevent such issues from arising.

Siddaramaiah pointed out that fertiliser sales in certain districts, including Haveri, have already surpassed last year's figures, raising questions about the causes. He directed officials to monitor sales closely to ensure that eligible farmers do not encounter shortages.

Additionally, he insisted that electricity connections for drinking water projects be prioritized. Coordination between the Panchayat Raj and Energy departments is essential to avoid delays caused by deposit requirements.

In light of the instability in the Middle East, the Karnataka Agriculture Department has begun implementing measures to ensure sufficient availability and effective management of fertilizers ahead of the approaching monsoon season.

These initiatives are being overseen by Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy.

A statement from Minister Cheluvarayaswamy's office on Thursday indicated that the geopolitical situation in the Middle East might disrupt the import of raw materials essential for fertiliser production, leading to concerns about supply shortages in the state.

In response, the department has adopted a comprehensive strategy to maintain fertiliser availability.