Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said the State government would prioritise drinking water supply to people this summer and sought cooperation from all, including farmers, in this regard.

“Despite farmers being told not to cultivate a second crop, they have. Farmers in Raichur, Koppal, and Yadgiri districts are now insisting that water should be released. It is in this context that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to his Maharashtra counterpart seeking water. Delegations of farmers and elected representatives had sought water for the crop,” Mr. Shivakumar, who also holds the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio, told a delegation of farmers, led by Minister Sharanabasappa Gouda Darshanapur, that called on him here on Wednesday.

The delegation sought the government to release water from the Narayanapur Basava Sagar reservoir’s left bank and right bank canals till April 15 to save the standing crops. Mr. Siddaramaiah has informed Maharashtra that 6.60 tmcft of water in Basava Sagar is reserved to save standing crops on 89,000 hectares, and has sought additional water.

When the delegation asked the State government to seek the Centre’s intervention, the Deputy Chief Minister said it was better for neighbouring States to cooperate with each other in this regard.