Government to release Rs 20 lakh to pray for monsoon

Bengaluru: Over the last two days a debate has been going on over the topic, whether the state government should be holding any homa/prayer officially this year to seek benevolence of God Almighty this year or not.

While the officials from the major irrigation department had confirmed that the Siddaramaiah-led state government has released Rs. 20 lakh for such prayers, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had denied the same. But on Friday, a statement issued by major irrigation minister MB Patil hints strongly at the stand of the government.

"Karnataka has faced drought for 13 out of last 15 years due to many environmental and urbanization related issues. We are performing only a pooja (prayer) at the birth site of Krishna river near Mahabaleshwar-Pune.

As a tradition we will do these prayers with our hearts to mitigate the drought situation. Such prayers were offered even before the Wodeyar era. Those who want to criticize us for this can go ahead and do so," said Patil.

Patil had said: "I am an engineer by profession. I believe in the Basava philosophy of "Work is Worship". I do not believe in any superstitions. My works on water rejuvenation and literature show the same. I welcome everyone to Vijayapura, Gadag, Kalburgi, Mysore, Belagavi region etc to come and see the works for themselves. Krishna and Kaveri are both lifelines of the state. The farmers have many a times suggested for a prayer to the rivers as per tradition. "

Patil has invited people to join him in the prayers. "We will also continue our efforts to rejuvenate tree plantation, rain water harvesting etc with greater force," he concluded in his statement.