Karnataka plans to seek ₹3,500 crore in drought relief from the Centre after the state government identified more than 200 taluks facing drought conditions, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said in Davangere on Sunday.
Parameshwara said the drought declaration process would be carried out in phases based on the data available with the state government. He said 101 taluks had been declared drought-affected in the first phase and another 24 in the second phase.
The government is currently examining the ground situation in 52 more taluks, with a decision expected within three or four days, according to the Deputy Chief Minister. He added that another 50 taluks could be included in the drought-affected list in the fourth phase.
The assessment process will use information available until the end of the monsoon, Parameshwara said. The phased approach means the final number of officially declared drought-affected taluks could change as the government completes its review of local conditions.
In the 101 taluks covered in the first phase, the estimated loss has reached approximately ₹18,000 crore, Parameshwara said. The state has therefore requested ₹3,500 crore in immediate relief from the Centre for the first phase.
The proposed central assistance is expected to be sought under the National Disaster Response Fund, or NDRF. Parameshwara said the state government would take an all-party delegation to the Centre and request the release of drought relief in accordance with NDRF provisions.
The figures announced by the state place the drought response across multiple administrative areas rather than limiting it to isolated local shortages. The government’s decision to review additional taluks in stages also indicates that the official drought list is being linked to continuing assessment of conditions through the monsoon period.
Parameshwara said people should not panic while the process was under way. The statement did not provide details of the specific relief measures to be delivered to affected households, farmers or local administrations, or the timeline for disbursing any funds that may be approved by the Centre.
The immediate administrative milestones are the completion of the review of 52 taluks, the possible addition of 50 more taluks to the official list and the state’s proposed submission for NDRF assistance. The government is also expected to pursue the request through an all-party delegation to the Centre.
