Karnataka Seeks Central Funds After 82% Food Production Loss
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara announced that Karnataka is seeking federal drought relief after losses exceeded 60,000 crore rupees and food production dropped by 82 percent.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara declared a serious drought crisis affecting 226 taluks across the state. The drought has caused an estimated 82 percent loss in food production and total losses exceeding 60,000 crore rupees, alongside critical shortages of fodder and drinking water.
To mitigate the crisis, the Government of Karnataka is spending approximately 1,250 crore rupees to provide 2,500 rupees in relief to affected farmers. The state is currently utilizing its own resources to manage drinking water through private borewells and tankers. Parameshwara stated that the state is preparing a third memorandum to the Union Government to request drought-relief funds under National Disaster Response Fund norms, noting that the center has not yet released funds for the VB-G RAM G scheme.
Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar will determine if he will lead a delegation to the center to submit the memorandum. Beyond the environmental crisis, Parameshwara urged political restraint among officials amid controversies involving a sting operation and dismissed media speculation regarding the potential appointment of a Dalit leader as Chief Minister.
