Karnataka is set to declare 25 additional taluks as drought-affected areas after a second phase of assessment found them eligible, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on September 8. The announcement could expand the state’s drought-hit list beyond the 101 taluks already notified.
Speaking to the media near his residence in Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru, Parameshwara said drought assessments were still under way and would continue in stages. He said the 25 taluks had qualified for declaration and would be notified shortly.
The minister said the process had not been delayed and would continue until the extent of the shortfall in both the southwest and northeast monsoons was assessed. Karnataka had declared around 200 taluks drought-affected last year, and the state could again see more than 200 taluks included in the drought list, he said.
According to Parameshwara, drought conditions were being experienced across Karnataka except in coastal areas. He rejected allegations that some taluks had been deliberately left out for political reasons, saying the declaration process was based on central government guidelines rather than the preferences of the state government.
He said the assessment involved satellite imagery, ground-truthing and scientific studies. The state could not independently declare drought-affected areas and still expect central drought relief, he said, adding that following the prescribed process was necessary to seek assistance from the Centre.
The minister’s remarks came amid protests by some legislators who alleged that their constituencies had not been included despite severe drought conditions. Parameshwara said there was no need for concern and pointed out that taluks represented by opposition legislators were already part of the notified list.
The additional declaration is expected to determine which taluks become eligible for drought-related relief measures under the applicable rules. The government has not yet announced the specific date for issuing the notification.
