101 taluks declared drought-hit, more may be added: Parameshwara

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Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara on Saturday said the State government has declared 101 taluks as drought-affected, and indicated that more could be brought under the drought-hit category after a fresh review in 15 days.

He was speaking to reporters during his visit to the residence of Congress leader H.A. Venkatesh in Mysuru.

Dr. Parameshwara said the drought memorandum would be submitted to the Centre by the end of August or the first week of September. “Crop losses are being assessed and, based on the assessment, we will prepare the report. Central teams will then visit the State and conduct an assessment, following which drought relief will be released,” he said.

The government would decide the quantum of compensation to be paid to farmers per acre, he said.

Referring to the 2023 drought, Dr. Parameshwara said Karnataka had suffered losses of around ₹39,000 crore and had sought ₹18,000 crore in relief from the Centre. “We had to protest in Delhi, and only after the Supreme Court’s intervention was ₹3,500 crore released. That situation should not be repeated this time. I have appealed to the Centre to ensure that what happened last time is not repeated,” he said.

He said the memorandum would be prepared strictly in accordance with the prescribed drought-declaration norms and urged the Centre to examine it and release the relief due to Karnataka.

Dr. Parameshwara said a decision had been taken to provide around ₹1,200 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), but the amount was yet to be released to the State. “The State’s share is 25% and the Centre’s share is 75%. We have asked the Centre to release the ₹1,200 crore immediately. Once the funds are released, it will enable us to provide relief to our farmers. We can disburse the amount to farmers within a week to 10 days,” he said.

Responding to a question on former Minister B. Nagendra’s resignation, Dr. Parameshwara said Mr. Nagendra had not committed any offence and had resigned only because of political pressure. “The BJP politicised the issue and kept demanding his resignation. As a disciplined party worker, he resigned so that the government would not face embarrassment. There was no need for him to resign,” he said.

Asked whether former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had gone silent, Dr. Parameshwara dismissed the suggestion. “Where has he gone silent? He attended the legislature session and was present in the House. He will take rest for a month or two and then resume his activities,” he said.

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