Chikkamagaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ishwar B. Khandre said the state government has given top priority to providing clean drinking water to all villages despite the lack of rain and drought conditions.

Speaking at a press conference in Chikkamagaluru today, he said that 859 villages in the state are facing a shortage of drinking water, and necessary measures have been taken to take private borewells on rent and supply water through tankers. It has been clearly instructed that if any complaints are received regarding the problem of drinking water from any village, officials should respond immediately and provide a solution within 24 hours. It has been decided to conduct an inspection regarding the complaints of incomplete works and poor quality of work under the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme. If any inadequacy is found during the inspection, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned persons, said Ishwar Khandre.