Karnataka Drought Aid Appeal
Congress President Kharge urges Modi to release ₹3,705 crore in Karnataka drought aid
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Kharge said Karnataka had a 58 per cent rainfall deficiency as of September, and estimated crop losses across 19.52 lakh hectares; 101 sub-districts had already been declared drought-hit.
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In his letter, Kharge warned that the drought could become “the worst drought seen in the last 150 years.”
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Three central assessment teams were scheduled to visit Karnataka from October 3 to 7, covering Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Davanagere and Vijayanagara; Hassan, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar; and Yadgir, Raichur, Bagalkot and Koppal.
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Kharge also wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah about the drought, in addition to writing to Prime Minister Modi.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release ₹3,705.30 crore in emergency drought aid for Karnataka, warning that the state faces its worst drought in 150 years. The Print reports that Kharge wrote to Modi citing 58 percent rainfall deficiency as of September and crop losses across 19.52 lakh hectares, with 101 sub-districts already declared drought-hit.
In his 11-page letter, Kharge requested six specific measures including release of the full relief amount, deployment of a separate central assessment team, and updated land records for subsidy eligibility. Hindustan Times reports that the state's estimated total losses reach ₹18,748.23 crore, with 31 lakh farming families facing severe hardship amid low reservoir levels.
Rainfall Collapse Triggers Widespread Crop Failures
Karnataka experienced severe water shortage heading into October, with rainfall 58 percent below normal through September. The South First reports that crop damage spans 19.52 lakh hectares across the state. Officials had already declared 101 sub-districts drought-affected, disrupting farming across major agricultural zones.
Kharge Seeks Central Team to Verify Drought Damage
Three central assessment teams were set to visit Karnataka from October 3 to 7, covering 12 districts in separate groups. ETV Bharat reports that Kharge asked Modi to send an additional team specifically for Kalyana Karnataka region. He also requested that more drought-affected taluks be included in the official assessment, beyond those already scheduled for evaluation.
Six-Point Action Plan for Farm Relief and Water Support
Kharge called for subsidy eligibility to be based on updated state land records rather than old data. He also pushed for greater government support for drinking water infrastructure and emergency substitute power supply as reservoir levels plummeted. Hindustan Times reports that Kharge simultaneously wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, escalating pressure for swift central action.
Request Seeks Full Disaster Relief Fund Release
Karnataka's drought aid request of ₹3,705.30 crore comes under National Disaster Response Fund norms. The amount represents just 20 percent of the state's estimated ₹18,748.23 crore in total damages. Kharge urged immediate release of the approved amount to prevent wider economic collapse in agricultural districts.
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