Sunil Lohan
*₹25 Crore Released for Fodder Seed Kits; 3–4 Lakh More Kits to Be Distributed.
*Instructions to Open Goshalas and Fodder Banks if Required.
*Focus on Employment Generation to Prevent Migration.
*Record 49 Lakh Farmers Enrolled for Crop Insurance: DyCM.
With Karnataka and several other States facing severe drought conditions,Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister,Dr.G.Parameshwara urged that the drought situation be declared a national calamity.
Replying on behalf of the Government during the discussion on drought in the Legislative Assembly,he said livestock require special attention during such a severe drought.
“Livestock are our assets.Ensuring adequate fodder for them in a drought of this magnitude is extremely important,”he said.
With crop failure estimated at 82%, the State currently has fodder stocks sufficient for only around 33 weeks.
The Government has therefore begun distributing fodder seed kits and encouraging farmers to grow fodder wherever borewells and other water sources are available.
The Government has already released ₹25 crore to the Animal Husbandry Department.Following the tender process, lakhs of kits have already been distributed, and another 3–4 lakh kits are being provided.
Dr. Parameshwara said KMF has also been asked to support the initiative since dairy farmers supplying milk are directly associated with the federation.
Arrangements have been made through KMF to distribute several lakh additional kits across districts.
He said that farmers have already begun cultivating fodder varieties,including jowar, which will help address future shortages.Measures are being taken to prevent fodder shortages and ensure the well-being of livestock.
If the drought situation worsens further, Deputy Commissioners have already been instructed to establish Goshalas and fodder banks wherever necessary.
There will be no need to seek separate funds for this purpose, as money is already available in the Deputy Commissioners’ PD Accounts,and they have been authorised to utilise it immediately.
Dr. Parameshwara said reports of people migrating in search of employment have been received from several regions, including Bagalkote and Vijayapura.
Similar concerns have also been raised in Gurmitkal, where people were reportedly travelling to Bengaluru and Mumbai in search of work.
Even areas that traditionally provided seasonal employment,such as coffee-growing regions, are now experiencing rainfall shortages and crop stress.
He said that despite political differences over the renaming of MGNREGA,the immediate priority must be preventing distress migration.For that reason, instructions have been issued to take up work under the VBG RAM G programme.
Dr. Parameshwara said he had personally visited several locations and inspected works being carried out in lakes and other areas.
Around 136 lakh person-days have so far been generated, and officials have been instructed to continue creating employment.
The supplementary budget has provided ₹2,280 crore for VBG RAM G.
He also noted that the funding pattern under VBG RAM G, which was earlier 90:10, has now changed to 60:40, increasing the financial burden on States.
Recalling the 2023–24 drought, Dr.Parameshwara said 223 taluks had been declared drought-hit and the estimated loss was around ₹39,000 crore.
However, under NDRF guidelines, Karnataka could seek only around ₹18,000 crore.
Despite fully adhering to the Union Government’s guidelines, the State initially received no assistance.
He said Karnataka was even cited as the only State that had fully complied with the NDRF guidelines,yet no funds were released.
The Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and legislators had gone to Delhi seeking assistance,but the State eventually had to approach the Supreme Court.
After legal intervention, Karnataka ultimately received around ₹3,400 crore from the Union Government.
Referring to allocations over the past five years, Dr. Parameshwara said Maharashtra received ₹39,492 crore, Madhya Pradesh ₹15,596 crore, Bihar ₹18,153 crore, Rajasthan ₹12,281 crore, West Bengal ₹9,158 crore, while Karnataka received ₹8,559 crore.
“We pay taxes regularly and follow the prescribed guidelines.This is not about Congress or BJP; it is about Karnataka’s interests.We are only asking for the State’s rightful share,”he said.
Dr. G. Parameshwara said there was no objection to comparing the financial assistance provided by the previous Manmohan Singh Government and the present Narendra Modi Government,but such a comparison must also take into account the difference in the size of the budgets then and now.
He said there are prescribed rules and criteria for declaring an area drought-hit.During the 2023 drought, it was extremely difficult for the State to comply with these norms, but Karnataka still followed them.
Subsequently, the State requested the Union Government to relax and revise certain drought criteria. “We have written around 10 letters.
Former Chief Ministers have written, Revenue Ministers have written,and the present Chief Minister and I have also written. Yet, we have not received the necessary cooperation,” he said.
The criteria include rainfall levels, crop and sowing conditions, satellite data,soil moisture and water storage, followed by ground truthing.All these requirements have to be fulfilled,he said.
Dr.Parameshwara clarified that despite protests and agitations in some places,he had never instructed any official to include or exclude a particular taluk from the drought-hit list.
So far, 177 taluks have been declared drought-hit. Around 50 more taluks are expected to qualify under the prescribed criteria, and the total number of drought-hit taluks could reach around 220.
“No taluk has been declared drought-hit without completing ground truthing and meeting the prescribed criteria. In the first round, even Gadag, Ron and the Chief Minister’s constituency were not included,” he said.
This year, sowing was expected across 84.14 lakh hectares, but has taken place in only 68.67 lakh hectares.
Dr.Parameshwara said field visits to places such as Gundlupet, Nanjangud, Hanur and Hiriyur had shown extensive sowing losses.
In horticulture, sowing was expected across 4.36 lakh hectares, but has taken place in only 3.78 lakh hectares. “Today, we are facing difficulties across drinking water, fodder and agriculture,” he said.
Recalling previous disasters, he said that in 2019–20, drought affected 206 taluks, with estimated losses of around ₹35,000 crore. Karnataka sought ₹3,891 crore from the Union Government but received only ₹1,652 crore. In 2020–21, floods affected 104 taluks, causing estimated losses of ₹24,764 crore.
Karnataka sought ₹2,122 crore, but the Union Government provided only ₹492 crore.I have already placed before the House what happened in 2023–24. What we are discussing today is historic.I hope the State never has to face such a situation again,” he said.
Record 49 Lakh Farmers Enrolled for Crop Insurance:
Referring to crop insurance, Dr.Parameshwara said Karnataka has never before seen such a large number of farmers enrol for crop insurance.
This year, 49 lakh farmers have registered for crop insurance, the highest ever. He expressed confidence that all eligible farmers would receive compensation.
In 2020–21, around 15 lakh farmers had enrolled for crop insurance across agriculture and horticulture. The figure remained at 15 lakh in 2021–22, rose to 34 lakh in 2024–25, and has now reached a record 49 lakh in 2026–27.
Farmers have enrolled in such large numbers with the expectation that they will receive at least some compensation if their crops are damaged, he said, and expressed confidence that all these farmers will receive compensation.
Dr.Parameshwara said electricity demand in the State has increased by around 30%. As of September 19, 2026, power demand had reached 20,000 MW. Despite this, the Government is providing farmers with six hours of three-phase power supply, he said.
Under the 16th Finance Commission, Karnataka was due to receive around ₹929 crore under SDRF, but has so far received ₹464 crore. He clarified that this amount is not drought relief assistance.
Dr.Parameshwara said the State’s finances are being managed efficiently and that Karnataka’s strong economy is reflected in the State ranking second in the country in foreign investment.
“Our administration has prioritised the interests of the State and ensuring that people are not put to hardship. Of our promises, 250 have already been fulfilled, while several others are under implementation,” he said.
Dr.G.Parameshwara also urged that the present drought situation be declared a national calamity.
