Mallikarjun Kharge seeks Rs 3,705 crore in central aid for drought-hit Karnataka and urges PM Modi to provide urgent relief to farmers.
Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate steps to address the worsening drought situation in Karnataka. He has sought the release of Rs 3,705.30 crore in central assistance to support affected farmers and families.
In his communication to the Prime Minister, Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted rainfall shortages, crop losses and the growing financial pressure on farming households. According to his letter, Karnataka has estimated drought-related losses at Rs 18,748.23 crore and has sought assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) framework.
Six Key Requests From Mallikarjun Kharge
Mallikarjun Kharge has outlined six measures that he wants the Centre to consider for Karnataka. His requests include an immediate field assessment, financial assistance and additional support for farmers and drought-affected communities.
He has called for a central team to visit Kalyana Karnataka and assess the damage on the ground. The Centre has separately stated that a central team would undertake a ground assessment in Karnataka on October 3.
The Congress leader has also sought the full release of the Rs 3,705.30 crore requested by the Karnataka government under the disaster-response framework.
Revised Support for Small and Marginal Farmers
Another major point raised by Mallikarjun Kharge relates to the calculation of input subsidies for farmers. He has asked the Centre to consider updated Bhoomi land records while identifying eligible small and marginal farmers instead of relying on older agricultural census data.
He has also sought faster completion of drought declarations for 11 additional taluks where ground verification is still underway. According to his proposal, areas that meet the required criteria should be considered as part of the same continuing drought situation while assessing central assistance.
Drinking Water and Power Support Also Sought
The demands also focus on basic necessities in drought-affected regions. Kharge has asked for enhanced assistance to maintain drinking water supplies in affected areas.
also read:- J&K Assembly Ruckus Over Omar Abdullah’s Statehood…
He has also sought support for the additional cost of substitute power, particularly in regions where low reservoir levels and reduced hydropower availability are creating challenges.
Kharge Appeals Against Political Considerations
Mallikarjun Kharge has argued that drought assistance should be determined by the scale of the crisis rather than political differences between the Centre and the state government.
He has described drought relief as a humanitarian requirement and urged the Union government to ensure timely support for farmers and other affected households. He has also indicated that more than 31 lakh farming families are facing distress.
Kharge said he had made a similar representation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking intervention on the issue.
Karnataka Drought Situation Under Assessment
The drought situation in Karnataka remains a major concern, with crop losses, water shortages and affected areas being assessed. The number of drought-affected taluks has also been subject to further ground-level verification.
The Centre’s latest statement said Karnataka is facing drought-like conditions and that a central team would conduct an on-ground assessment.
For farmers and rural households, the outcome of these assessments will be important in determining the extent of relief and assistance available.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is likely to remain on the ground assessment, identification of affected areas and evaluation of Karnataka’s request for central assistance. Mallikarjun Kharge has asked the Centre to act quickly on financial support, farmer compensation, drinking water and power-related requirements.
The final relief package, however, will depend on the Centre’s assessment and the applicable disaster-response provisions. The ongoing evaluation is therefore expected to play an important role in determining the next steps for drought-affected regions of Karnataka.
For More Hindi News: http://newz24india.com