Sunil Lohan
*217 Taluks Already Declared Drought-Affected; Ground Truthing Underway in Another 23 Taluks.
*Nearly 90% Crop Damage Across the State; Government Moves to Provide First Instalment of Relief Without Waiting for Central Assistance.
*Banks Directed to Defer Recovery of Farmers’ Loans; Farmers Need Not Worry About Notices.
*DyCM Speaks to Media After Visiting Drought-Affected Areas in Ballari District.
Karnataka is facing one of its most severe droughts in nearly 75 years, based on the available data,with around 90% of crops across the State affected.
The Government’s first priority is to protect farmers who have lost their crops and are facing severe hardship, and every necessary measure will be taken to support them, Deputy Chief Minister Dr.G.Parameshwara said.
He was speaking to the media after visiting a tur field in drought-affected Halakundi village of Ballari taluk and inspecting the crop condition.
Of the State’s nearly 240 taluks,the impact of drought is visible in almost all areas except a few taluks in the coastal region.
217 taluks have already been declared drought-affected, while ground truthing is underway in another 23 taluks. Of these,around 10 to 15 taluks are likely to be added to the drought-affected list, he said.
Farmers across Karnataka are facing an extremely difficult situation.In several places,farmers initially sowed tur,which was damaged due to lack of rain.
When some rainfall was received later,they sowed alternative crops such as jowar,but those crops too have failed.As a result,many farmers have been left without any harvest, Dr.Parameshwara explained.
Around 90% of crops in Karnataka have been affected. The distress is not limited to rain-fed regions; irrigated areas too are facing difficulties.
Rainfall in parts of Maharashtra brought some inflows into the Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs,while the KRS,Harangi and Kabini regions also received some rain.
A portion of the available water also had to be released to Tamil Nadu,he said.
The impact of drought is particularly severe in Ballari, Vijayanagara and surrounding areas.
The Union Government teams that visited Karnataka have also inspected the serious situation in this region, he added.
Drinking Water Situation Becoming Serious:
The drought has affected not only crops but also drinking water availability.Several villages are facing shortages,and the Government has initiated precautionary measures to prevent the situation from worsening.
Funds have been released for urgent drought-relief works,including drinking water supply.
Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to utilise the funds available with them as required and extend assistance to farmers and the public.
“The Government must stand by farmers and the people. We have already taken several steps to provide as much assistance as possible from our side,” he said.
Central Share Yet to Arrive;Steps to Release First Instalment of Relief:
Under Union Government guidelines, relief of ₹8,500 per hectare is provided.
However,no funds have yet been released by the Centre. Without waiting for Central assistance,the State Government has decided to provide ₹2,500 as the first instalment of relief to farmers from its own resources, Dr.Parameshwara said.
A Government Order has already been issued in this regard, and Deputy Commissioners will be instructed to release the amount immediately.Further assistance will be provided to farmers in the coming days,he said.
“We will not simply sit and blame the Centre for not releasing even a single rupee.We will provide whatever support is possible from our side.We will not abandon farmers in this time of distress,”he said.
Farm families are also benefiting from electricity subsidies and the Government’s guarantee schemes.
Through various Government schemes and programmes, arrangements have been made to provide benefits worth at least ₹60,000 to ₹70,000 per family.
More importantly,farmers’ livelihoods must be protected, and the Government will provide the necessary support, he added.
*₹46,000 Crore Loss;₹11,000–₹11,500 Crore Assistance Sought from Centre:
The State Government has already submitted two memoranda to the Centre regarding the drought situation.
The total loss in 177 taluks covered by these memoranda has been estimated at around ₹46,000 crore,he said.
However, the entire amount of the loss cannot be claimed as relief from the Union Government.
Based on the NDRF guidelines prescribed by the Centre, the State has sought approximately ₹11,000 crore to ₹11,500 crore in assistance.
“We have assessed the loss at ₹46,000 crore. But we can seek only the amount permitted under the Union Government’s guidelines.
Accordingly, we have requested around ₹11,000 crore in relief,” he clarified.
The Centre has already sent teams to Karnataka, which have visited drought-affected areas and conducted inspections.
The State will have to wait and see how much assistance is sanctioned after the teams submit their reports to the Centre, he said.
Responding to a question on why the Central teams had not visited every taluk and village, Dr. Parameshwara said there is no requirement for the teams to visit every location. They conduct sample inspections in selected areas.
The Union Government also has access to satellite-based data on crops and drought conditions.
Three Central teams visited Karnataka, and the State Government had briefed them on districts with both severe and relatively lower levels of drought impact, he explained.
Before beginning their field visits, the Central teams held discussions with the State Government, during which the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister provided them with a comprehensive briefing on the drought situation.
Recalling the 2023 drought, he said the State had suffered losses of around ₹49,000 crore and had sought approximately ₹18,000 crore in assistance. Initially, no funds were released by the Centre.
Subsequently, after the State Government approached the court, around ₹3,500 crore was released following the court’s directions, he said.
*Loan Recovery Deferred; Farmers Need Not Worry About Notices:
The Government has also taken measures regarding recovery of farmers’ loans in view of the drought. Banks have been directed to defer loan recovery and take steps towards restructuring and refinancing loans, he said.
Responding to reports of banks issuing notices, he said farmers need not be anxious.
The Government has already directed that loan recovery be deferred, and instructions are being issued to both private financial institutions and nationalised banks in this regard.
Asked about demands for farm loan waivers and interest waivers,he said the Government is currently taking several measures,including providing immediate financial assistance and postponing loan recovery. The situation will be reviewed and further support will be considered in the coming days.
Responding to a question on whether drought relief was putting pressure on the State’s finances, the Deputy Chief Minister said financial pressure is natural whenever a major programme or initiative is implemented. Despite spending around ₹52,000 crore annually on the guarantee schemes, the Government has not stopped them.
“Based on the availability of funds, we will prioritise what needs to be done first and what can be taken up later.
Right now, the farmer is our first priority. Road works and other projects can be taken up later if necessary. Protecting the farmer comes first,” he said.
Responding to questions about the appointment of district in-charge ministers and the functioning of the administration, he said Government work has not stopped anywhere.
District administrations continue to function, while the Government is monitoring the situation from the State level.
Even if there is a gap of one or two months, or a few months, in the district in-charge arrangement, administrative work does not come to a halt. Necessary steps will be taken shortly, he said.
Responding to a question on the proposal to increase milk prices and its financial impact on consumers, Dr. Parameshwara said milk-producing farmers must also receive a fair price and adequate incentives.
On one side are the interests of consumers, while on the other is the livelihood of dairy farmers. Dairy farming cannot be sustained without adequately supporting farmers.
Therefore, any decision will have to take into account the interests of both farmers and consumers, he said.
