Bengaluru: With drought ravaging crops and hurting farm incomes across Karnataka , the state govt Thursday announced a ₹2,500 input subsidy for every farmer in drought-hit taluks, while deciding to urge the Centre to declare it as a “national disaster”.
The state govt Thursday ordered on-ground drought assessment in 29 taluks, including Indi and Chadachan. The deputy CM said 11 more taluks had been identified for drought study, taking the total number under assessment to 217.
Amid allegations that Karnataka was on the brink of a financial crisis, Parameshwara said the finance department’s caution against new projects should not be interpreted as a sign of the state’s bankruptcy. He said the department’s observations were intended to enforce fiscal discipline. Congress MLA Yashwanthraygoud V Patil Wednesday resigned in protest after his constituency was not on the list of affected taluks. Parameshwara rejected allegations that certain taluks were declared drought-hit under political pressure.
In the legislative assembly, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said it was the govt’s responsibility to stand with farmers when crop losses were likely to breach ₹40,000-crore mark. Karnataka has 45–50 lakh farmers, who could benefit from the one-time relief, which is expected to cost the exchequer ₹1,250 crore.
Parameshwara said a delegation from Karnataka would soon meet PM Narendra Modi for drought relief measures. The govt has submitted a memorandum to the Centre seeking financial assistance under existing disaster-relief norms. A central team is expected to visit the state soon.