Karnataka has declared nine more taluks drought-hit, taking the total number of affected taluks in the state to 226, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday. The widening classification is expected to increase the state’s estimated losses and the relief amount it seeks from the Centre.
Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said the government was examining whether some of the remaining 14 taluks met the criteria for drought declaration. Taluks that qualify will undergo ground-level inspections before any formal decision is taken, he said.
The expanded list comes as Karnataka prepares a final memorandum on losses caused by the drought. According to Parameshwara, the process is expected to be completed next week, after which the total estimated damage will become clearer. The state will then calculate the relief it seeks under the guidelines of the National Disaster Response Fund, or NDRF.
Karnataka had sought approximately ₹18,000 crore in compensation from the Centre last year, Parameshwara said. This year, he added, drought-related losses had occurred across the state, and the amount sought could increase if more taluks are found eligible for drought status. The final request will be based on the documented extent of damage.
The drought declaration is significant because formal classification determines which areas can be considered for assistance under disaster-response mechanisms. It also creates an administrative basis for assessing losses and preparing claims, although the declaration itself does not establish when or how much compensation will be released by the Centre.
Parameshwara said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and he had written to the Centre seeking relaxation of NDRF guidelines for drought relief. He said he had received a letter from the Union agriculture minister stating that the matter would be examined, but that no other response had been received from the Centre so far.
The state government is now preparing the final claim document with detailed loss estimates. Parameshwara said a decision on travelling to New Delhi with a delegation would be taken after the memorandum is completed. The delegation, if formed, will present the losses and seek compensation from the Centre.
The immediate administrative milestones are the completion of the memorandum next week, the possible ground inspections in additional eligible taluks and the state’s decision on whether to send a delegation to New Delhi. The government has not yet announced the final amount it will seek.
