BENGALURU: Karnataka has suffered a loss of around Rs 62,000 crore due to drought and has sought about Rs 22,000 crore in relief from the Centre as per National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Friday.
Speaking at his residence in Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru, Parameshwara said the state has already submitted three memorandums to the Union government on crop loss. “Based on NDRF guidelines, the state has calculated its eligible requirement and sought around Rs 22,000 crore. We have written to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Union Agriculture Minister seeking appointments to personally explain the drought situation,” he said.
He said that if appointments are granted, an all-party delegation led by the Chief Minister will go to Delhi. If not, the delegation will meet the Prime Minister during his visit to Karnataka. On relief for farmers, Parameshwara said that CM has increased the amount by another Rs 2,500 within a week to 15 days after the criticism.
₹22,000 Crore Drought Relief Sought from Centre: Karnataka has suffered an estimated ₹62,000 crore loss due to drought. Based on NDRF guidelines, we have already submitted three memorandums to the Union Government seeking around ₹22,000 crore in relief. I have also sought appointments with the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Union Agriculture Minister to personally present Karnataka’s case. If time is granted, we intend to go with an all-party delegation.
₹5,000 Relief for Farmers: Our Government has already released ₹1,250 crore to provide ₹2,500 per farmer as the first instalment of drought relief through DBT. The Chief Minister has agreed to provide another ₹2,500, which will be released within the next one week to 15 days. This will take the total relief to ₹5,000 per farmer.
Along with financial assistance, we are also prioritising drinking water and essential drought-relief works. ₹1 crore has been provided to each Assembly constituency, while districts have received ₹4–5 crore for drinking water arrangements.
Revenue Position Reviewed: Every decision of the Government is taken after assessing both revenue and expenditure. This year, revenue from commercial taxes, excise, stamps and registration has improved compared to last year. While addressing the concerns of farmers, Government employees and other sections, we are working to ensure a fair balance within the State’s available resources.
Fuel Prices Impact Agriculture Too: Those criticising the State over transport fares and other price revisions should also question the impact of rising petrol and diesel prices. Fuel costs directly affect transport and agriculture, including tractor operations and other farm activities. These costs are interconnected and cannot be viewed in isolation.
Our Stand on SIR Is Clear: On SIR, our stand is clear. Serious questions have arisen over the deletion of around 1.08 crore voter names, including cases where people listed as deceased are reportedly alive and those shown as shifted do not appear on rolls at their new place of residence. The Congress has opposed this process at both the AICC and KPCC levels.
Pension Issues to Be Resolved Soon: Regarding social security pensions, we have already held several review meetings. The income eligibility limit has been increased from ₹30,000 to ₹1.20 lakh. Around 23 lakh applications are being scrutinised, including applications from those who do not meet the age criteria. Pension distribution has resumed, and the remaining issues will be resolved within the next one week to 15 days.
– My remarks to the media near my residence today.
— Dr. G Parameshwara (@DrParameshwara) November 6, 2026
“The state has released Rs 1,250 crore to give Rs 2,500 per farmer as the first instalment through direct benefit transfer (DBT). The amount has reached more than three lakh farmers in Yadgir district. After criticism that Rs 2,500 was inadequate, and following an increase in central guidelines, the Chief Minister has agreed to release another Rs 2,500 within a week to 15 days. This will need another Rs 1,250 crore, taking the total to Rs 5,000 per eligible farmer, he said. The government has also prioritised drinking water, giving Rs 1 crore to each Assembly constituency and Rs 4 crore to Rs 5 crore to each district,” he said.
Asked about hikes in milk and transport fares, he said decisions are taken after assessing the state’s revenue position and the interests of all sections, including 50 lakh farmers who lost crops on 67 lakh acres and lakhs of government employees.
Responding to the BJP’s protest against the hikes, he alleged that hikes were increased 14 times since the BJP came to the Centre. “Those criticising the State for increasing transport fares should also question the rise in petrol and diesel prices. Prices have been hiked around 14 times since BJP came to power at the Centre. This directly impacts transport and agriculture as farmers depend on diesel for tractors,” he alleged.
On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, he said that the party’s stand is clear and the government cannot take a stand contrary to it.
“Around 1.08 crore voter names have been removed. Of these, around 16 lakh are shown as deceased, though complaints say some are alive. Another 65 lakh are shown as shifted. If a person has shifted from Bengaluru to Mysuru, his name should appear in Mysuru. But it is not found there either. That is why Congress believes SIR has not been done properly,” he said.
On the suspension of social security pensions, Parameshwara said the issue will be resolved within 15 days. He said the income eligibility limit has been raised from ₹30,000 to ₹1.20 lakh, so eligible beneficiaries will not face problems.
“Old-age pension is for those above 60, but applications have come from people aged 40, 30 and even 20. Around 23 lakh such applications are being scrutinised and ineligible ones are being disposed of. Due to this verification, distribution was suspended for a few days. It has now resumed,” he said. (ANI)
