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

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.

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.

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Outdated data

Raising concerns over the continued use of outdated Agricultural Census 2015–16 data for determining input subsidy assistance, Mr.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.

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.

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.