Bengaluru: Karnataka is preparing to submit a third memorandum to the Centre seeking drought relief, with Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara saying the drought has severely affected most parts of the state, resulting in an estimated 82% loss in food production.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said farmers were facing mounting distress, while shortages of livestock fodder and drinking water had emerged as major concerns. He said the government was making sustained efforts to secure financial assistance from the Centre.
Parameshwara said he had visited several parts of Karnataka, including North Karnataka, to assess the situation and interact with farmers. Although some areas had received rainfall recently, the overall drought situation remained severe, raising concerns about a possible shortage of food grains.
In several areas, drinking water is being supplied through tankers and private borewells. He warned that the situation could become more difficult if existing water sources dried up completely, making even tanker-based supply challenging.
Parameshwara said preparations for the third memorandum were under way and the document would be ready within two days. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would decide whether to visit the Centre personally or send a delegation.
An all-party delegation had been proposed earlier, but differences among opposition parties over participation have delayed a decision. The government will discuss the matter further before deciding its next course of action, he said.
Parameshwara said the state government was using its own resources to provide drought relief and drinking water without waiting for central assistance. District commissioners and zilla panchayat chief executive officers were monitoring the situation, with tankers deployed wherever required.
He alleged that Karnataka had not received funds from the Centre for works under the VB-G Ram Ji scheme, forcing the state to finance them. He also said the state government was bearing the entire cost of approximately ₹1,250 crore to provide ₹2,500 in assistance to each farmer.
Parameshwara urged the Centre to release drought relief funds at the earliest, saying the assistance would help distressed farmers and others affected by the drought.
