Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister writes to PM, HM, Agriculture Minister seeking urgent release of drought relief

Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister writes to PM, HM, Agriculture Minister seeking urgent release of drought relief left Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, has written separate letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. File Photo The Hindu th-online Administrator G.

Parameshwara File Photo He has appealed to opposition parties to set aside political differences and cooperate on an issue concerning the interests of Karnataka, and join the all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister to seek release of drought relief funds Bengaluru Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, has written separate letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking their urgent intervention to expedite the approval and release of ₹20,585.73 crore in drought relief assistance to Karnataka under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on October 20, Mr. Parameshwara said a date had been sought with all three to meet them to appeal for relief. He appealed to opposition parties to set aside political differences, and co-operate on an issue concerning the interests of Karnataka and join the all-party delegation. Opposition refuses to be part of the all-party delegation to Centre over drought relief storyline 1 35% rain deficit In the letter, highlighting the severity of the drought, Mr.

Parameshwara stated that Karnataka recorded a 35% rainfall deficit during the 2026 southwest monsoon, receiving just 551 mm against the normal 852 mm. This was the second-lowest seasonal rainfall since 1956, and the seventh-lowest since 1901. He further said that the government of Karnataka has declared a drought in 226 taluks, with crop damage reported across 57.93 lakh hectares, including 53.92 lakh hectares of agriculture crops and 4.01 lakh hectares of horticulture crops.

The estimated economic loss, calculated on the basis of cultivation cost, stands at ₹62,481.88 crore. Drought scenario in Karnataka Central drought assessment team visits KRS, gathers information on rainfall deficit in Mandya Central drought assessment team visits KRS, gathers information on rainfall deficit in Mandya Apart from shortfall in rains this year, the Central team also collected information from the officials on the impact of poor rainfall on agricultural activities and availability of drinking water and water storage in the reservoirs.

Rabi planning: Centre asks States to assess water availability, prioritise pulses, oilseeds Rabi planning: Centre asks States to assess water availability, prioritise pulses, oilseeds Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urges water budgeting in crop planning; Agricultural Secretary warns of climate-related production losses in Rabi season  Karnataka’s CM, Dy. CM slam Opposition for refusing to join all-party delegation on drought to Centre Karnataka’s CM, Dy.

CM slam Opposition for refusing to join all-party delegation on drought to Centre Deputy Chief Minister says final memorandum to the Centre is likely to be submitted in the first week of October Karnataka Monsoon Watch 2026 Mr. Parameshwara pointed out that the State has submitted a cumulative drought memorandum seeking ₹20,585.73 crore in Central assistance, comprising ₹6,128.70 crore for crop loss input subsidy, ₹12,146.99 crore for gratuitous relief to 61.91 lakh small and marginal farmers, ₹1,727 crore for drinking water supply, and ₹583.04 crore for animal husbandry and livestock protection.

He emphasised the need for immediate financial relief to small and marginal farmers. Outdated data Raising concerns over the continued use of outdated Agricultural Census 2015–16 data for determining input subsidy assistance, Mr. Parameshwara noted that it could result in a shortfall of approximately ₹1,669.50 crore. He urged the Union Government to consider Karnataka’s updated FRUITS database for fairer assessment.

He sought additional assistance of ₹427.20 crore under PM POSHAN to ensure nutritious meals for schoolchildren during summer vacations in drought-affected taluks, along with ₹70.96 crore under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme to protect vulnerable beneficiaries. OPTIONAL CUT FOR PRINT Referring to the visit of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to Karnataka from October 3 to 6, Dr.

Parameshwara urged the Union Government to expedite the appraisal of the cumulative drought memorandum, facilitate the early submission of IMCT recommendations to the High Level Committee, and ensure the swift approval and release of financial assistance. Central teams continue visits to drought-hit areas storyline 1 Stressing that the welfare of farmers must transcend political and administrative boundaries, he called for co-ordinated action between the Union and State governments in the spirit of co-operative federalism.

Drought scenario in Karnataka Central drought assessment team visits KRS, gathers information on rainfall deficit in Mandya Central drought assessment team visits KRS, gathers information on rainfall deficit in Mandya Apart from shortfall in rains this year, the Central team also collected information from the officials on the impact of poor rainfall on agricultural activities and availability of drinking water and water storage in the reservoirs.

Central drought assessment team visits KRS, gathers information on rainfall deficit in Mandya storyline 1 Rabi planning: Centre asks States to assess water availability, prioritise pulses, oilseeds Rabi planning: Centre asks States to assess water availability, prioritise pulses, oilseeds Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urges water budgeting in crop planning; Agricultural Secretary warns of climate-related production losses in Rabi season  Rabi planning: Cent…