Siddarth Sethia
*Centre urged to release drought relief without delay.
*Adequate drinking water,fodder for livestock and employment for people are our Government’s top priorities.
The State Government has declared 101 taluks drought-affected.The situation will be reviewed again after 15 days, following which a few more taluks may qualify as drought-affected and will be declared accordingly,Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Dr.G.Parameshwara said.
Speaking to the media today during a visit to the residence of a Congress leader in Mysuru,he said the drought report would be submitted to the Union Government by the end of this month or in the first week of September.“Crop losses are being assessed, based on which we will prepare the memorandum.
Central teams will then visit Karnataka and conduct an assessment, following which drought relief will be released,” he said.
He added that the Government would decide the amount of compensation to be provided to farmers per acre.
“Ensuring drinking water, fodder for livestock and employment through works to prevent distress migration are our first priorities.We have already initiated measures on all these fronts,”he said.
Referring to the 2023 drought, Dr.Parameshwara said Karnataka had suffered losses of around ₹39,000 crore and had submitted a proposal seeking ₹18,000 crore in relief.
“We had to protest in Delhi, and only after the Supreme Court’s intervention was ₹3,500 crore released. That situation should not be repeated this time,” he said.
“This year, I have appealed to the Centre to ensure that what happened last time is not repeated.
The memorandum we submit will be prepared strictly in accordance with the prescribed drought-declaration norms.The Centre should examine it and release the relief due to us,”he said.
He said a decision had been taken to provide around ₹1,200 crore under the SDRF, but the amount was yet to be released to the State.
“The State’s share is 25% and the Centre’s share is 75%. We have asked the Centre to release the ₹1,200 crore immediately.
Once the funds are released, it will enable us to provide relief to our farmers. We can disburse the amount to farmers within a week to 10 days,” he said.
Responding to a question on Nagendra’s resignation, Dr. Parameshwara said, “Nagendra has not committed any offence.
Yet, the BJP politicised the issue and kept demanding his resignation. As a disciplined party worker, he resigned so that the Government would not face embarrassment. There was no need for him to resign.”
“His name did not figure in the charge sheets filed by either the CBI or the ED. Having served as Home Minister, I am aware of the facts.
Unnecessary political pressure was created to force his resignation. In the coming days, we will place the facts before the people,” he said.
He further said the Opposition had been asked to raise the issue legally and factually in the Legislature. “We told them that if they had documents, they should place them before the House and we were fully prepared to answer. They had no documents and merely indulged in politics,” he said.
Asked whether former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had gone silent,Dr. Parameshwara said,“Where has he gone silent?.
He attended the Legislature session and was present in the House. He will take rest for a month or two and then resume his activities.”
