Shivakumar Seeks Central Aid for Drought and Expands Cabinet

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has launched a dual effort to address a severe state drought and restructure his government. After visiting agricultural fields in Chitradurga to assess crop failure, Shivakumar directed district administrations to spend up to Rs 1 crore per rural Assembly constituency for drinking water and warned farmers against sowing crops based on rainfall expectations. He also confirmed that low reservoir levels prevent the state from releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

To secure federal support, Shivakumar traveled to New Delhi and convened a meeting on July 26 and 27 with 40 Karnataka Members of Parliament and various Union ministers. He urged bipartisan support to brief the Central government on drought realities and pending development projects. He was accompanied to the capital by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad.

Concurrent with these crisis talks, Shivakumar is coordinating with the Indian National Congress high command to finalize a long-pending cabinet expansion. The move aims to fill 20 vacant berths in the Council of Ministers, with swearing-in ceremonies expected by late July. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced that the monsoon session of the state legislature will begin on August 13, following delays caused by national protests and the cabinet formation process.