Vinod M Jain
*177 taluks drought-affected; crop losses estimated at Rs.46,324.5 crore.
*Seeks revision of SDRF/NDRF relief norms and faster Central drought assessment.
With the drought situation in Karnataka becoming increasingly severe,Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Dr.G.Parameshwara has written separate letters to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan,seeking urgent assistance from the Union Government.
In both letters,Dr.Parameshwara highlighted the impact of the drought on farmers and rural livelihoods and stressed the need for the State and Union Governments to work in coordination to ensure timely and adequate relief to affected farmers.
The State Government had already submitted its Kharif 2026 Drought Memorandum to the Union Government, seeking financial assistance of Rs.3,705.30 crore for 101 drought-affected taluks.
Following further scientific assessment,an additional 76 taluks were declared drought-affected in the second phase,taking the total number of drought-affected taluks in the State to 177.
Ground-truthing is currently underway in another 40 taluks.Based on the continuing assessment, the number of drought-affected taluks is likely to cross 220 by the end of the monsoon season.
Crop loss assessment carried out in the newly declared 76 drought-affected taluks has found damage to agricultural crops across 26.08 lakh hectares and horticultural crops across 1.49 lakh hectares.
The extent of crop damage ranges from 33% to 100%, with a large part of the affected area recording losses of more than 50%.
Among the major agricultural crops affected are tur, maize,cotton,sugarcane,soybean and green gram.
Horticultural crops including onion,arecanut and red chilli have also suffered damage.
Overall,crop loss has been reported across 27.57 lakh hectares, with the loss estimated at Rs.27,576.2 crore based on the cost of cultivation.
Under the existing SDRF norms,the requirement towards input subsidy has been estimated at Rs.2,981.34 crore.
Across the 177 drought-affected taluks, crop loss has been reported over nearly 47.09 lakh hectares, with the estimated economic loss reaching Rs.46,324.5 crore.
Based on the ongoing assessment, the total crop loss during Kharif 2026 is likely to exceed 55 lakh hectares.
Through the two phases of drought declaration, the State Government has sought Rs.7,142.64 crore under NDRF norms.
Of this,Rs.4,998.60 crore has been sought towards input subsidy, while Rs.2,144.04 crore has been sought for measures including fodder and drinking water supply.
Relief norms must be revised:
In his letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah,Dr.G. Parameshwara requested an early revision of the items and norms of assistance under the SDRF and NDRF, particularly the norms relating to input subsidy for farmers.
He pointed out that the existing input subsidy is inadequate when compared with the present cost of cultivation and covers only a small part of the actual losses suffered by farmers.
With the 16th Finance Commission period having begun, he urged the Union Government to take up the long-pending revision of the relief norms on priority.
Dr.Parameshwara stressed that the relief provided to farmers should more realistically reflect the current cost of cultivation and the actual economic impact of crop losses.
The State Government has already submitted its detailed views and justification to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the revision of these norms.
Expedite Central drought assessment and release relief at the earliest:
In a separate letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dr.G.Parameshwara welcomed the arrival of the Central team in Karnataka to assess the drought situation.
Considering the severity and scale of the drought, he requested that the Central assessment process be expedited and that Karnataka’s request for assistance be considered so that relief can be released at the earliest.
He stressed that faster assessment and timely relief are crucial for farmers who are facing severe distress due to widespread crop losses.
The State Government, he said, is extending all possible assistance and taking the necessary measures to reduce the impact of the drought.
“Considering the scale and severity of the present drought,it is necessary for the State and Union Governments to work in coordination.
Our farmers must receive timely and adequate support. The relief provided should reflect the actual losses they have suffered,” Dr.G.Parameshwara said.
Dr.Parameshwara expressed confidence that the Union Government would respond positively to Karnataka’s request and take early steps to strengthen the relief norms as well as expedite the drought relief process.
