Zilla panchayat (ZP) president Ambika Ramanna, here on Wednesday, called upon officers to give priority to drinking water projects. Addressing officers during the Karnataka Development Programme review meeting, she said that as six taluks in the district were drought-hit, many areas were facing drinking water shortage. People had to travel long distances to fetch water, she said. “Officers should explore all possible options to address this problem. Ongoing works related to drinking water supply should be completed soon,” she urged. ZP vice-president Bili Chowdaiah pointed out that so far officials had spent only Rs. 13 crore out of the Rs. 32 crore earmarked for drinking water projects in the district. “With only two months left in the current financial year to spend the amount, people will face severe problems if officers fail to complete the projects,” he said. As six taluks are drought-hit, many areas are facing water shortage: Ramanna ‘Only Rs. 13 crore out of the funds earmarked for drinking water projects has been used so far’ ‘Only Rs. 13 crore of funds marked for drinking water projects used so far’