‘Must Rise Above Political Differences’: Kharge Writes to PM Modi Seeking Urgent Drought Relief for Karnataka
Congress president seeks ₹3,705 crore in central assistance and outlines six measures to support drought affected farmers and families
New Delhi: Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent central assistance for Karnataka amid a severe drought situation in the state.
In his letter, Kharge said Karnataka was facing one of its gravest drought situations in recent years, citing a 58 percent rainfall deficiency as of September, widespread crop losses and distress among farming families.
Kharge said the Karnataka government has sought ₹3,705.30 crore in assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Response Fund framework against estimated losses of ₹18,748.23 crore.
He made six key requests to the Centre. These include sending a central team to Kalyana Karnataka to assess drought damage, releasing the full amount sought by the state, and calculating input subsidies for small and marginal farmers using updated Bhoomi land records instead of the 2015 to 16 Agriculture Census.
Kharge also sought enhanced support for drinking water security and substitute power costs, along with relief for more than 31 lakh farming families affected by the drought.
He further urged the Centre to include 11 additional taluks currently undergoing ground truthing, along with any other qualifying areas, as part of the same continuing drought situation for the purpose of central assistance.
“Drought relief is a humanitarian imperative and must rise above political differences between the Centre and the State,” Kharge said, urging the Union government to provide timely assistance for food, fodder, water and livelihood security.
Kharge also said he had written separately to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking similar intervention.
The Karnataka government has been seeking central assistance as the drought situation continues to affect several parts of the state. Recent reports said 177 taluks had been declared drought affected, while additional areas were undergoing assessment.