Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has sought financial assistance from the Union Government to provide immediate relief to farmers and address the growing drought situation across the State.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shivakumar requested financial support for measures including assistance to farmers facing crop losses, drinking water supply, livestock protection and other essential drought-relief activities.
The Chief Minister also urged the Centre to release in advance the Central share of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He said the additional resources would help Karnataka respond more effectively to the worsening situation and ensure timely assistance reaches farmers and families affected by the drought.
Shivakumar referred to his earlier letter dated September 10, 2026, in which Karnataka had submitted the Kharif 2026 Drought Memorandum seeking ₹3,705.3 crore for immediate relief measures covering 101 drought-declared taluks.
According to the Chief Minister, the situation has since deteriorated, with the number of drought-affected taluks increasing to 177 across the State.
Concern Over Water and Crop Losses
Shivakumar said low reservoir levels, particularly in the Cauvery basin, have become a serious concern as they could affect drinking water availability in Bengaluru and neighbouring districts in the coming months.
With the South-West Monsoon entering its final phase and Karnataka continuing to record a significant cumulative rainfall deficit, the Chief Minister warned that the drought could become more severe in the coming months and intensify further during the summer.
He also pointed to deteriorating rainfall and soil moisture conditions, which he said could lead to large-scale crop losses affecting more than 40 lakh hectares.
Karnataka Seeks Interim Relief
In view of the worsening drought, Shivakumar requested the Centre to release 50% of the amount sought in the drought memorandum as interim assistance, pending completion of the assessment and approval process.
The Chief Minister said the immediate funds would help the State implement relief measures such as input subsidies for crop losses, drinking water supply, livestock protection and other essential interventions.
He stressed that timely financial assistance would be important to support farmers during the current crisis.
Vijayendra Seeks Farm Loan Waiver
Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP president and Shikaripura MLA B.Y. Vijayendra urged the State Government to take immediate steps to support farmers.
Vijayendra demanded a waiver of farm loans of up to ₹5 lakh and compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for farmers affected by the drought.
He also urged the State Government to announce drought-relief measures during the ongoing special session instead of waiting for financial assistance from the Centre.
Vijayendra called for the immediate release of pending payments to farmers for the procurement of ragi and maize.
He also criticised the State Government’s focus on Bengaluru and urged it to give greater attention to North Karnataka, particularly the completion of irrigation projects that remain partially unfinished.
Bellad Questions Government’s Priorities
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Aravind Bellad also criticised the State Government’s handling of the drought situation.
During a debate on drought, Bellad alleged that Chief Minister Shivakumar had been meeting industrialists while farmers affected by the drought were struggling for assistance.
He questioned the amount being provided for livestock and fodder support, claiming that the average assistance worked out to only around ₹28.73 per family, while ₹117 crore had been released for relief.
Bellad also criticised expenditure on major Bengaluru infrastructure projects, including the proposed tunnel road, arguing that greater attention should be given to farmers who depend on adequate water and agricultural support.
He cited Tamil Nadu’s response to farmers’ concerns as an example and claimed that the neighbouring State had announced a special package of ₹134 crore following delays in water availability for Kharif crops.
Bellad said Karnataka, instead, had advised farmers against growing crops because of inadequate irrigation water, and called for stronger measures to address the situation.
