Bengaluru, October 7 (Daily Kiran) : The Karnataka government has announced immediate financial assistance for farmers affected by one of the worst droughts in nearly 75 years. Approximately 90 percent of the state’s crops have been impacted, prompting the government to provide an initial relief payment of ₹2,500, bypassing the need for support from the central government.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara shared this decision after inspecting drought-stricken areas in Ballari district and the tur crop in Halakundi. He emphasized that the government’s priority is to support farmers facing crop losses and challenging conditions.
So far, 217 out of 240 taluks have been declared drought-affected, with assessments ongoing in the remaining areas. Parameshwara noted that the drought’s impact is not limited to rain-fed agricultural regions; irrigated areas are also struggling. Many farmers who initially planted tur have seen their crops fail due to insufficient rainfall.
Following a brief period of rainfall, some farmers attempted to cultivate alternative crops like jowar, but these too have not thrived, leaving many without any yield. The situation is particularly dire in Ballari, Vijayanagar, and surrounding regions, which have been visited by central teams assessing the drought.
The drought has also affected drinking water availability in several villages. The state government has allocated funds for immediate relief measures, including drinking water supply, and has instructed district commissioners to utilize these resources effectively.
Despite submitting memorandums requesting assistance, the central government has yet to release any funds. Under central guidelines, relief is typically provided at ₹8,500 per hectare, but Karnataka has opted to act independently.
Parameshwara confirmed that government orders have been issued to facilitate the immediate disbursement of funds, with additional support planned for the coming days. He stressed that the state cannot remain passive while awaiting central assistance, asserting the government’s commitment to aid farmers during this challenging time.
The Karnataka government has submitted two memorandums to the center, estimating total losses from crops and drought at approximately ₹46,000 crore. Based on guidelines from the National Disaster Response Force, the state has requested between ₹11,000 crore and ₹11,500 crore in aid.
Central teams have already visited the drought-affected areas to evaluate the situation. Parameshwara mentioned that while not every taluk or village needs to be inspected, the central government has access to satellite data on crops and drought conditions.
He recalled that during the 2023 drought, Karnataka suffered losses of nearly ₹49,000 crore and sought about ₹18,000 crore in assistance. Initially, when no aid was forthcoming, the state government resorted to legal action, which led to the release of approximately ₹3,500 crore following court orders.
Regarding agricultural loans, Parameshwara indicated that banks have been instructed to postpone collections and consider restructuring loans in light of the drought. He reassured farmers that they need not worry about notices from banks, as both private financial institutions and nationalized banks are being directed to delay loan recoveries.
Currently, the government is focused on providing immediate financial aid and postponing loan collections, with discussions on agricultural loan waivers and interest relief to follow in the coming days. Parameshwara reiterated, “Farmers are our priority right now,” emphasizing that while infrastructure projects can wait, the safety and support of farmers are paramount.
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