Centre to convene meeting on rain deficit

New Delhi: The Centre is expected to convene a meeting on Saturday to discuss the issue of deficit rainfall. Monsoon this year has been deficient by 21 per cent with Karnataka and Maharashtra suffering the most, where it is 40 per cent less than normal.

The Karnataka government has even sanctioned Rs 17 crores for temples across the state to pray to appease the rain gods.

Endowments Minister Kota Srinivas Poojari said, "Rs 5,000 will be spent on each temple for a Varuna Mantra to the rain god and a Jal Abhishek."

Monsoon this year has been deficient by 21 per cent with Karnataka and Maharashtra suffering the most.

Government work is god's work but the message from the Jagadish Shettar government to Kannadigas seems to be - believe more in god and less in the government itself. Why else would it ask for water to be poured on to stone statues when there's no water for people.

"Whenever people face difficulties they turn to God. So we thought we should order special pujas in the 34,000 temples under my department," Poojari said.

The issue was raised by opposition JDS leader HD Revanna in the Assembly on Friday.

And the people are amused and question why should the government use their money for these things.

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