Karnataka Provides Rs 2,500 Subsidy to Drought-Hit Farmers

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced that the Karnataka government will provide an input subsidy of Rs 2,500 to each drought-affected farmer. The first phase of the program is expected to benefit between 45 and 50 lakh farmers at a cost of approximately 1,250 crore to the state exchequer.

This immediate relief comes as the state awaits assistance from the National Disaster Response Force. Parameshwara urged the Union Government to declare the drought a national calamity, citing estimated losses of 18,000 crore across 100-101 taluks, with total losses potentially reaching 40,000 crore.

Additional state measures include distributing fodder seed kits and generating employment through the VBG RAM G programme to prevent distress migration. The government also extended loan repayment moratoriums to 12 months and warned that it would take strict legal action against microfinance institutions harassing farmers over repayments.