Karnataka Drought Crisis: 82% Crop Loss as Dy CM Warns of Severe Water Shortage
Karnataka Deputy CM G Parameshwara warns of an extremely serious drought affecting food production and water supply, urging Central aid.
The Karnataka drought situation has reached an alarming level, with Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara describing the crisis as "extremely serious" across vast regions of the state. The severe lack of rainfall has triggered a domino effect, crippling food production, depleting livestock fodder, and creating a critical shortage of drinking water for the public.
Devastating Impact on Agriculture and Livestock
Speaking to the media near his Sadashivanagar residence on Monday, the Deputy CM revealed the staggering scale of the agricultural disaster. According to his assessment, food production has been hit severely, with an estimated 82% loss. This massive decline in yield has sparked urgent concerns regarding the future availability of food grains in the state.
The crisis extends beyond crops. The availability of fodder for livestock has plummeted, leaving farmers struggling to sustain their animals. While some pockets of the state have seen recent rainfall, G. Parameshwara emphasized that these isolated showers have not been enough to alleviate the overall severity of the drought.
Drinking Water Fears: The Tanker Limit
The state is currently fighting a battle to ensure basic survival for its citizens. Drinking water is already being supplied in numerous areas via tankers and the hiring of private borewells. However, the Deputy CM issued a stark warning: if the primary water sources themselves dry up completely, even the tanker system will fail.
"The situation approaching such a stage is a matter of serious concern," Parameshwara stated, highlighting the fragility of the current water supply chain.
The Battle for Central Aid
The Karnataka government is actively seeking financial assistance from the Union Government to mitigate the disaster. The process involves declaring drought-affected areas and assessing losses based on Union Government guidelines to request relief under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms.
Key developments regarding federal aid include:
- Third Memorandum: The state is currently drafting a third memorandum seeking drought relief, expected to be completed within two days.
- Submission Strategy: The Chief Minister will decide whether the memorandum will be delivered by him, the Deputy CM, or a delegation.
- Political Hurdles: While the Chief Minister proposed an all-party delegation to the Centre, opposition parties have expressed differing views, leaving the final plan under discussion.
State's Independent Efforts and Financial Burden
Despite the lack of immediate Central support, the state government insists it is not waiting for federal funds to act. G. Parameshwara noted that the state is utilizing its own resources to manage the crisis, with Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers overseeing district-level operations.
The financial strain on the state treasury is significant:
- Direct Farmer Aid: The government is spending approximately ₹1,250 crore to provide ₹2,500 each to affected farmers as drought relief.
- Scheme Funding: The Deputy CM pointed out that the Centre has not released a single rupee for works under the VB-G RAM G scheme, forcing the state to fund these projects independently.
Side Note on Political Tensions
During the briefing, the Deputy CM also touched upon a separate controversy involving a sting operation and subsequent political bickering. He described the public allegations and counter-allegations involving high-ranking officials, including Chief Ministers and Union Ministers, as "not healthy," urging those in power to consider their stature and the consequences of their public statements.