Central Teams to Assess Drought Situation in Karnataka, Says Deputy Chief Minister
Three central teams will visit Karnataka to evaluate the drought situation as requested by the state government, according to Deputy CM G. Parameshwara.
Bengaluru, September 28 (Daily Kiran) : The central government is dispatching three teams to Karnataka to assess the drought situation, following a request from the state government. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara announced this on Monday during a press briefing at his residence.
One team will focus on Tumakuru, Chitradurga, and Davanagere, while another will visit districts in northern Karnataka. The third team is tasked with exploring the Mysuru region, including Mandya, Mysuru, and Chamarajanagar.
These teams will visit drought-affected areas and compile their findings into a report. The state government has already submitted a memorandum to the central authorities, which will guide the teams’ evaluations. Parameshwara indicated that a second memorandum will also be presented.
The teams are expected to collect data on all declared drought-affected taluks. They may conduct on-site visits to selected taluks and discuss conditions with deputy commissioners and local officials. Parameshwara noted that the teams will verify whether the findings in the state’s memorandum align with the realities observed during their visits.
The state government is currently conducting further ground investigations and plans to finalize the memorandum after completing this process. The monsoon season is set to conclude on September 30, and the state intends to submit the final memorandum to the central government in the first week of October. This document will detail the damages incurred by the state and the necessary relief measures.
When asked if the ground surveys would adhere to central guidelines, Parameshwara confirmed that the central teams have their protocols and that the state government followed the same guidelines when declaring drought-affected taluks.
He emphasized that the declarations were based on established criteria, and taluks that did not meet these standards were not labeled as drought-affected. Thus, he anticipates minimal discrepancies between the state report and the central teams’ conclusions.
Parameshwara also stressed the need for a bipartisan delegation to approach the central government for drought relief, asserting that the drought issue transcends political boundaries. He remarked that natural disasters do not discriminate between political parties. A united effort from all parties in submitting a memorandum to the central authorities could enhance the chances of receiving additional assistance. Consequently, the Chief Minister has proposed sending a bipartisan delegation to Delhi.
Responding to the BJP’s decision not to participate in the delegation, Parameshwara stated that the BJP, being in power at the center, could assist the state government in persuading the central authorities for relief. He affirmed that even without their participation, the ruling government would fulfill its responsibility to bring this issue to the center’s attention.
He urged BJP leaders to reconsider their stance, highlighting that the drought directly impacts the people of Karnataka and that all parties should share the responsibility. Parameshwara warned that if the central government does not respond to the upcoming relief request, the state government would not shy away from its obligations.
He added that if the center clearly indicates a refusal to provide relief, the state should not find itself in a situation where it has to resort to legal action, as was the case last year. He called on the center and relevant authorities to avoid creating such circumstances.
Regarding financial disputes among ministers and legislators over the burden of guarantee schemes, Parameshwara acknowledged that the government was aware from the outset that implementing these schemes would require substantial funding. Initially, estimates for annual expenses were projected between ₹40,000 crore and ₹45,000 crore, but actual expenditures have since exceeded ₹50,000 crore. Nevertheless, the decision to implement these guarantee schemes was made with careful consideration.
