Karnataka: Drought compensation for farmers to be doubled to ₹5,000

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara at a programme to release the first instalment of drought relief assistance to farmers affected by crop losses, at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Thursday.

The State government, which had earlier announced a one-time drought relief (input subsidy) of ₹2,500 each for affected farmers, has now decided to double it to ₹5,000.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made the announcement at a programme organised in Bengaluru to commence the distribution of relief to drought-hit farmers. In the first phase, farmers will receive ₹2,500 now, while an equal amount will be disbursed in the second phase.

Mr. Shivakumar symbolically released drought relief assistance of ₹17.43 crore to 1.06 lakh farmers in Yadgir district at the rate of ₹2,500 each.

He said files related to the payment of drought relief to farmers in 15 districts were being processed. The second phase of payment would commence in the next 15 to 20 days, he noted. The entire input subsidy for the remaining eligible farmers would be released in a single instalment soon after the State receives Central assistance under NDRF norms.

Responding to criticism that the drought assistance was too small, Mr. Shivakumar said the losses suffered by farmers could not be compensated by the quantum of relief being provided by the State government. However, the intention of the government was to extend some help to farmers in distress, he said.

Describing the drought gripping the State as the worst he had seen in his lifetime, the Chief Minister said crops on 57.93 lakh hectares had wilted, causing huge losses, and 226 taluks had been declared “drought-hit” as per the guidelines prescribed by the Centre.

He accused the Opposition parties of not cooperating with the government in handling the drought. The Chief Minister recalled that the State had already submitted a report to the Centre, drawing attention to drought-related losses estimated at around ₹62,000 crore and seeking assistance of ₹22,400 crore.

Pointing out that the State had sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to seek Central assistance, he said it remained to be seen whether the Opposition would be part of the all-party delegation.

The Chief Minister also noted that the quantum of free power being provided to farmers to operate irrigation pump sets had increased from ₹20,000 crore a year to ₹30,000 crore due to higher consumption caused by the drought. Though the State was willing to pay more, it was difficult to procure additional power, he said.