Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday, October 3, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent central assistance for drought-hit Karnataka, urging the Centre and the state government to rise above political differences to address the crisis.
In his letter, Kharge highlighted severe rainfall deficiency, widespread crop losses and distress among farming families across the state. He said Karnataka had sought Rs 3,705.30 crore in assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) framework against estimated losses of Rs 18,748.23 crore.
Kharge made six specific demands, including the immediate deployment of a central team to assess drought damage, release of the full relief amount sought and enhanced support for drinking water and electricity requirements.
Karnataka Faces 58% Rainfall Deficiency
Kharge described the situation as one of Karnataka’s gravest drought episodes in recent years, citing a 58 per cent rainfall deficiency as of September.
According to the Congress president, widespread crop damage has left more than 31 lakh farming families facing distress. He urged the Centre to provide assistance without political considerations, emphasising that relief measures should reach affected communities without unnecessary delays.
The letter also highlighted low reservoir levels in the Cauvery and hydel catchment areas, raising concerns over drinking water availability and the additional cost of substitute power.
Six Demands for Immediate Central Assistance
Kharge outlined six requests to the Prime Minister to address the drought situation and ensure timely relief for affected farmers and households.
His demands included:
- Central assessment: Immediate deputation of a central team to Kalyana Karnataka to assess drought damage on the ground.
- Full financial assistance: Sanction and release of the entire Rs 3,705.30 crore sought by Karnataka under applicable NDRF and SDRF provisions.
- Updated land records: Calculation of input subsidies for small and marginal farmers using Karnataka’s updated Bhoomi land records instead of the 2015-16 Agriculture Census.
- Additional drought-hit areas: Expedited completion of drought declarations for 11 additional taluks undergoing ground-truthing and other qualifying areas.
- Water and power support: Enhanced assistance for drinking water security and substitute power costs.
- Urgent farmer relief: Release of assistance considering the scale of distress affecting more than 31 lakh farming families.
Kharge Questions Use of Outdated Agriculture Census
One of Kharge’s key requests concerned the calculation of input subsidies for small and marginal farmers.
He urged the Centre to use Karnataka’s updated Bhoomi land records instead of the 2015-16 Agriculture Census for determining eligibility.
According to Kharge, using updated records would help ensure that eligible farmers are not excluded from relief because of outdated landholding information.
He also requested that the 11 additional taluks currently undergoing ground-truthing, along with any other areas meeting the required criteria, be treated as part of one continuing drought event while determining central assistance.
Low Reservoir Levels Raise Water Security Concerns
Kharge also drew attention to the declining water levels in the Cauvery and hydel catchment areas.
He sought enhanced central support for drinking water arrangements and the cost of substitute power, particularly in regions experiencing severe water shortages.
The Congress president stressed that drought assistance should address not only agricultural losses but also the immediate needs of affected households, including drinking water, fodder and livelihood security.
Kharge Also Writes to Amit Shah
Apart from Prime Minister Modi, Kharge said he had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking similar intervention.
In his appeal, he emphasised that drought relief should be provided on merit and with urgency, regardless of political differences between the Centre and Karnataka’s Congress-led government.
“Drought relief is a humanitarian imperative and must rise above political differences between the Centre and the State,” Kharge said.
He urged the Union government to act with urgency and compassion to provide timely assistance to millions of affected citizens.
Karnataka’s Drought Relief Demand Remains Pending
Karnataka has sought Rs 3,705.30 crore in central assistance against estimated losses of Rs 18,748.23 crore.
The state’s demand includes support for affected farmers, drinking water security, electricity-related expenses and additional drought-hit areas.
Kharge’s letter has brought renewed attention to the Centre-state coordination required for disaster relief, particularly when agricultural losses and water shortages affect large sections of the rural population.
The Congress president’s appeal places the focus on the timely assessment of drought damage, approval of financial assistance and delivery of relief to eligible beneficiaries.