Joshi Blames Karnataka Mismanagement for Drought Fund Crisis
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi slams Karnataka govt over corruption and mismanagement as he assures central support for drought relief.
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi has launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government, alleging that the state is facing a financial crunch due to mismanagement and corruption. His remarks come as a direct response to recent appeals for central assistance to combat the severe drought situation ravaging the state.
Centre Assures Support Amid Drought Crisis
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi on Sunday, Joshi assured the people of Karnataka that the Central Government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains committed to providing the best possible support to the state. He emphasized that the Centre's assistance would be provided within the existing prescribed norms, regardless of the political party in power in the state.
Joshi noted that the Central Government is already processing the request following the state's latest communication regarding the drought. "The latest letter which the Karnataka government has written about the drought situation in Karnataka is dated 23 September. The Agricultural Minister has already deputed a team. Whatever report they have sent, let the officers study it," Joshi stated.
Shifting the Blame
The Union Minister accused the state leadership of attempting to evade responsibility for the current crisis. According to Joshi, the state's lack of funds is a direct consequence of internal failures rather than a lack of central aid. He claimed, "They do not have a single penny in their account because of mismanagement and corruption. Since they have no money, they want to shift the buck onto the Government of India."
Kharge’s Urgent Appeal for Farmers
Joshi's comments follow a formal appeal from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his letter, Kharge highlighted that Karnataka is grappling with one of its most severe drought periods in recent history, characterized by:
- A significant deficiency in rainfall.
- Widespread and devastating crop losses.
- Extreme distress among lakhs of farming families.
The scale of the crisis is reflected in the financial requirements reported by the state. Kharge indicated that Karnataka has sought Rs 3,705.30 crore in assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) frameworks, to help mitigate estimated losses totaling Rs 18,748.23 crore.