Karnataka will provide a one-time input subsidy of ₹2,500 each to around 46 lakh to 50 lakh farmers affected by the ongoing drought. Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G Parameshwara announced the assistance in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
The state government will spend around ₹1,250 crore on the first phase of the relief, with the assistance taking effect immediately. The announcement comes as Karnataka continues to seek financial support from the Centre for crop losses and other impacts of the rainfall deficit. So far, 177 taluks have been officially declared drought-affected.
Parameshwara said the government would support farmers during the drought and maintained that drought declarations were being made based on the criteria prescribed by the Centre. He rejected allegations that political pressure had influenced the inclusion of taluks in the drought-affected list.
The minister also said crop losses had been reported across more than 40,000 hectares. The state government plans to seek a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has urged the Centre to consider declaring the drought a national disaster.
Karnataka is also preparing to meet its share of crop insurance payments. Around 49 lakh farmers have registered for crop insurance, and the state government is expected to contribute ₹1,242 crore towards the scheme.
The state has also sought additional funds through the State Disaster Response Fund. Karnataka is due ₹922 crore under the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, of which ₹446 crore has already been received, according to Parameshwara.
The government had earlier set aside ₹635 crore for drought relief and said funds were available to manage the situation. The state is continuing its assessment of affected areas, with more taluks potentially being added to the drought list based on the prescribed criteria.
