Karnataka to Declare 7 More Taluks Drought-Hit; CM to Seek NDRF Funds
Karnataka to declare 7 more taluks drought-hit as CM and Dy CM prepare to visit Delhi for NDRF financial assistance.
The drought crisis in Karnataka is deepening as the state government prepares to expand its official list of disaster-affected regions. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced on Wednesday that seven additional taluks will be formally notified as drought-hit, bringing the total number of affected taluks to 226.
This escalation comes as the state government intensifies its efforts to secure massive financial relief from the Central Government. A high-level delegation, led by the Chief Minister and including the Deputy Chief Minister and senior cabinet members, is scheduled to travel to New Delhi to submit a formal memorandum requesting assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines.
Escalating Financial Demands Amid Severe Crop Loss
The scale of agricultural devastation this year has prompted the state to rethink its financial requirements. According to Deputy CM Parameshwara, the losses incurred by farmers and the agrarian sector appear significantly more severe than in previous cycles.
The Deputy Chief Minister provided context regarding the scale of previous and current requests:
- Previous Year: The state had requested approximately Rs 18,000 crores.
- Current Assessment: For the 226 taluks currently identified, the state had initially considered a request of around Rs 7,000 crores, but current data suggests the actual loss may be much higher.
The government is currently working on a comprehensive memorandum that will be finalized within a week. This document will include an estimated total of the losses incurred across the state to ensure the demand made in Delhi is proportionate to the ground reality.
Seeking Relaxation in NDRF Norms
Recognizing that standard protocols might not fully cover the specific hardships faced by Karnataka's farmers, the state leadership has actively lobbied for flexibility. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have already sent formal correspondence to the Union Government requesting relaxations in the existing NDRF guidelines.
"The Chief Minister and I had written letters asking for the NDRF guidelines to be relaxed to some extent," Parameshwara stated. He noted that the Union Agriculture Minister has responded, indicating that the request for these relaxations is currently under examination.
Upcoming Cabinet Decisions
Beyond the drought crisis, the state government is also preparing to address pressing political matters. A Cabinet meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, where several critical issues are expected to be tabled for discussion.
Among these is the sensitive matter regarding reservations. The Deputy Chief Minister indicated that the government is weighing multiple legal and political avenues, including an appeal to the Supreme Court or a request to the Central Government to include the relevant provisions under the 9th Schedule of the Constitution. A final decision on these matters will only be made following formal deliberation within the Cabinet.