Kharge Urges Modi to Act on Karnataka's Drought Crisis

{ "articleTitle": "Kharge Urges Modi to Act on Karnataka's Drought Crisis", "articleDescription": "Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3 requesting immediate central assistance for farmers in Karnataka facing severe drought conditions.", "articleBody": "

Letter Requests Immediate Central Intervention

\n

Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting immediate central assistance for farmers in Karnataka who are facing severe drought conditions. The letter, dated October 3, highlights the critical nature of the drought in the state and the pressing need for support to alleviate the impact on farming families.

\n

Kharge stated that Karnataka is experiencing one of its most significant droughts in recent history. He characterized the situation by rainfall deficiency and extensive crop losses affecting lakhs of farming families across the region.

\n

The letter emphasized that drought relief is a humanitarian issue that should transcend political disagreements. Kharge urged the Union government to provide sustenance, fodder, water, and livelihood security for more than 31 lakh farming families on merit and with utmost urgency.

\n\n

Financial Claims and Relief Demands

\n

The Karnataka state government has declared 177 taluks as drought-affected. Ground-truthing efforts are currently ongoing in additional areas to assess the full extent of the damage. The initial request for financial assistance was made to assist 101 identified drought-affected taluks.

\n

Kharge noted that the state government has sought Rs 3,705.30 crore in assistance through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). This request aims to cope with estimated losses amounting to Rs 18,748.23 crore.

\n

Kharge urged the prompt deployment of a Central team to Kalyana Karnataka to assess drought damage firsthand. He called for the full release of the requested Rs 3,705.30 crore without delay.

\n\n

Subsidy Calculation and Taluk Declarations

\n

In addition to direct financial aid, Kharge proposed that the Central government calculate input subsidies for small and marginal farmers using updated Bhoomi land records. He argued this method should replace data from the 2015-16 Agriculture Census to ensure deserving farmers receive assistance.

\n

He also called for the expedited completion of drought declarations for eleven additional taluks that are currently undergoing ground-truthing. Kharge proposed that these areas be recognized as part of a continuous drought event to facilitate central assistance.

\n\n

Water Security and Parallel Outreach

\n

Kharge emphasized the need for enhanced support for drinking water security and alternative power supply costs. He noted that reservoir levels in critical areas, including the Cauvery and other hydel catchment regions, are exceedingly low.

\n

The Congress leader mentioned that he had also reached out to Union Home Minister Amit Shah with a similar request for intervention on behalf of the state’s farmers.