Bengaluru, Oct 22 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers Amit Shah and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, seeking prompt approval and release of Rs 20,585.73 crore in drought relief to the state under the NDRF.
In separate letters to the PM, Union Home Minister Shah and Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Chouhan, Parameshwara highlighted the scale of agricultural losses caused by the severe drought and urged the Centre to expedite the assessment and release of financial assistance.
Karnataka recorded a 35 per cent rainfall deficit during the 2026 southwest monsoon, receiving 551 mm of rainfall against the normal 852 mm, he said.
The rainfall was the second-lowest for the season since 1956 and the seventh-lowest since 1901, according to the state government’s assessment.
The state has declared 226 taluks drought-affected, with crop damage reported across 57.93 lakh hectares, including 53.92 lakh hectares of agricultural and 4.01 lakh hectares of horticultural crops. The estimated economic loss, based on cultivation costs, stands at Rs 62,481.88 crore, he added.
The state government has sought Rs 20,585.73 crore in central assistance, including Rs 6,128.70 crore as input subsidy for crop losses, Rs 12,146.99 crore as gratuitous relief for 61.91 lakh small and marginal farmers, Rs 1,727 crore for drinking water supply and Rs 583.04 crore for animal husbandry and livestock protection.
Emphasising the need for immediate support to farmers, Parameshwara said the proposed gratuitous relief had been calculated at Rs 327 per day for 60 days. The state has also sought assistance to establish 476 cattle camps and 583 fodder banks to protect livestock from the effects of the drought.
He raised concerns over the continued reliance on Agricultural Census 2015-16 data to determine input subsidy assistance, stating that the practice could result in a shortfall of approximately Rs 1,669.50 crore.
Urging the Centre to use Karnataka’s updated Farmer Registration and Unified Beneficiary Information System (FRUITS) database, the Deputy CM said it would facilitate accurate identification of beneficiaries and a more precise assessment of relief requirements.
He also sought an additional Rs 427.20 crore under ‘PM POSHAN’ to provide nutritious meals to schoolchildren during summer vacations in drought-affected taluks and Rs 70.96 crore under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme to support vulnerable beneficiaries.
He called for a revision of existing input subsidy norms in view of rising cultivation costs and the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
Referring to the visit of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to Karnataka from October 3 to 6, Parameshwara urged the Union government to expedite the appraisal of the state’s cumulative drought memorandum and ensure early submission of the team’s recommendations to the High Level Committee.
He also called for the swift approval and release of the assistance sought by the state to address the agrarian crisis.
Stressing the need for coordinated action between the Centre and the state, Parameshwara insisted that farmer welfare should transcend political and administrative boundaries.
“The strength of our nation rests, in no small measure, on the strength of those who cultivate its land,” he said, underlining the importance of timely assistance to protect agricultural livelihoods and help farmers recover from the crisis with dignity.
Separately, speaking to reporters, the Deputy CM said securing relief from the Union government for people affected by the severe drought is a priority, and an all-party delegation has therefore been proposed to visit Delhi. He appealed to Opposition parties to set aside minor political differences and cooperate on an issue concerning the interests of the State.
He said appointments must first be secured with the prime minister, Union Home minister and Union agriculture minister before a date can be finalised for taking the all-party delegation to Delhi.
“Our priority must be to secure relief for the people of Karnataka who are suffering because of the drought. The primary purpose of the all-party delegation is to seek drought relief from the Union government. It is not appropriate to politicise minor issues instead of focusing on this objective.”
He stressed that the State’s interests must be placed above everything else and that, on a serious issue such as drought relief, responding to the hardships of the people should take precedence over politics.
With the Dussehra festivities now concluded, the necessary administrative process will be taken forward, Parameshwara said.
“An all-party meeting will be convened for another round of discussions. Appointments will then be sought with Union Ministers, following which the delegation will visit Delhi,” he said.
He said BJP and other Opposition leaders would once again be requested to join the delegation. “If they join us, we will be happy. If they choose not to, what can we do? As the Government administering the State, we have a responsibility to approach the Union government and seek relief in the interest of our people,” he added.
(PTI News)
