It has become an annual feature for Karnataka to plead the Centre for financial assistance to tackle drought and in particular drinking water shortage. Surprisingly, the State from the last three years has not made use of the funds given by the Centre for a drinking water project. Under the Centrally sponsored Sector Reforms Scheme, which aimed at improving drinking water facility in rural areas, three districts - Dakshina Kannada, Mysore and Bellary were selected in 2000. Each district was entitled for Rs 40 crore and of this just 10 per cent should have been mobilised from the public for the work.