Karnataka May Borrow Funds for Farmer Drought Relief
Deputy CM G Parameshwara says Karnataka is ready to borrow funds to support farmers as 217 taluks face severe drought conditions.
In a significant move to combat the escalating agrarian crisis, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has stated that the state government is prepared to borrow funds if necessary to provide relief to farmers devastated by a worsening drought. The decision comes as the state grapples with an unprecedented weather crisis, with 217 out of 240 taluks already declared drought-hit.
Speaking to the media after inspecting farmlands in Gunnal village within the Yelburga taluk, Parameshwara emphasized that protecting the farming community remains the government's highest priority. He noted that the state is facing an extremely difficult situation, particularly in the northern regions.
Devastating Crop Losses in North Karnataka
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the grim reality on the ground during recent inspections in the Vijayapura and Ballari districts. The scale of destruction is staggering, with reports indicating that nearly 98% of crops in the Vijayanagara district have been completely destroyed. Even the remaining 2% of the harvest is expected to be insufficient for farmers to sustain themselves.
The drought has hit the northern districts of Ballari, Vijayanagara, Koppal, Raichur, and Vijayapura much harder than the Mysuru region. This environmental catastrophe has also triggered a wave of migration, with Parameshwara noting that residents of certain Lambani Tandas are on the verge of abandoning their villages in search of work.
Government Intervention and Employment Strategies
To manage the crisis, the state government is focusing on three primary pillars:
- Ensuring a steady supply of drinking water.
- Providing direct financial assistance to farmers.
- Generating wage employment to curb migration.
To prevent rural exodus, officials have been instructed to prioritize employment under the rural employment guarantee scheme. Parameshwara remarked, "If work is available within rural areas, migration can be prevented. We can survive only if farmers survive. Without farmers, neither society nor Government can sustain itself."
Financial Relief and the Battle for Central Aid
Under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms, farmers are entitled to a total relief amount of Rs 8,500, shared between the Centre and the State. However, because the Union government has yet to release its portion, the Karnataka government has stepped in to provide an initial instalment of Rs 2,500 from its own resources.
The scale of the relief effort is massive:
- Approximately 50 lakh farmers across Karnataka are set to receive assistance.
- The government has already spent Rs 1,250 crore for the first instalment.
- The state has submitted an assessment of roughly Rs 46,000 crore in crop losses across 177 taluks.
The state is currently seeking between Rs 10,000 crore and Rs 12,000 crore in relief from the Centre. While three Union government teams have been sent to assess the situation, the final demand could rise significantly. If the total loss assessment reaches Rs 60,000 crore, the state may seek relief totaling between Rs 18,000 crore and Rs 20,000 crore.
A Call for Political Unity
A planned delegation involving the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, and Opposition leaders to meet the Centre has faced hurdles, as leaders from the BJP and JD(S) have indicated they may not participate. Despite this, Parameshwara called for unity, urging all Members of Parliament to pressure the Centre regardless of party affiliation.
"This is not the time for politics; this is the time to stand with farmers," Parameshwara stated. He added that the government is also working closely with insurance providers to ensure that crop insurance payments reach eligible beneficiaries without delay, addressing concerns regarding the share of premiums paid by the farmers themselves.