Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Hindu
The Hindu
National
The Hindu Bureau

Private member Bill on cloud seedings gets Assembly nod

The Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved the Karnataka Cloud Seeding Bill, 2024, a private member Bill, for carrying out cloud seeding to mitigate drought.

Congress member Prakash Koliwad moved the Bill during Zero Hour and explained that cloud seeding would increase rainfall by at least 20%. Cloud seeding would have to be done during monsoon for 90 days and it would cost ₹30 crore to the State exchequer. By enhancing rainfall by 20%, Mr. Koliwad said crop damage would be reduced to an extent worth ₹7,000 crore.

The State had declared 223 taluks out of 236 as drought-hit and sought ₹18,177.44 crore from NDRF from the Centre.

T.B. Jayachandra, former Minister, suggested to the government to examine the Bill and consider carefully the impact and success of cloud seeding. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil defended the Bill and said the S.M. Krishna-led government had taken up cloud seeding for 83 days in 2003 and it was successful. Mr. Patil said the Bill would be forwarded to the Governor. The Opposition members had staged a walkout earlier.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.