Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought urgent intervention in Karnataka’s worsening drought situation and the release of ₹ 3,705.30 crore in central assistance under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) framework.
“I write to you on behalf of the people and state of Karnataka seeking your personal and urgent intervention in sanctioning relief in view of the severe drought affecting the state. Karnataka is facing a severe rainfall deficit and widespread agricultural losses. Kharge cited state government estimates of Rs. “The agrarian community of Karnataka faces a crisis of existential proportions.
As you would already be aware, Karnataka is in the grip of a severe drought which may probably turn out to be the worst drought seen in the last 150 years,” Kharge said in the letter. 18,748.23 crore in crop losses across 19.52 lakh hectares. He said 101 sub-districts were already declared drought-hit and further assessments were underway, warning that the crisis was continuing to deepen.
Drought relief is a humanitarian imperative and ought not to be governed by political differences between the Centre and the State,” said Kharge.
Kharge further urged the Centre to base input-subsidy calculations for small and marginal farmers on updated Bhoomi land records. Kharge’s primary demand was the immediate release of ₹ 3,705.30 crore sought by Karnataka under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms. 3,705.30 crore sought by the State Government from the NDRF,” said Kharge.
“I therefore earnestly request the immediate and complete release of the central financial assistance of Rs. “I therefore urge the Government of India to accord the state’s memorandum the highest priority, and I trust that you will intervene personally to ensure that the assistance sought is sanctioned and released without further delay.
“Calculate input subsidy on the basis of Karnataka’s updated Bhoomi land records rather than the outdated 2015 to 16 Agriculture Census, so that no genuinely eligible farmer is excluded,” he said. An expeditious response would provide timely sustenance, fodder, water and livelihood security to millions of our affected citizens,” said Kharge.
He said more than 2,000 gram panchayats were expected to face drinking-water stress from February 2027 onwards. On water security, Kharge asked the Centre to consider enhanced assistance for drinking water and the cost of substitute power, pointing to low reservoir levels in the Cauvery basin and the impact on hydel power generation.
