In an address during the inauguration of the historic Mysuru Dasara festival, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted the dire situation faced by the state’s farmers, emphasizing that the ongoing drought has led to an estimated loss of ₹30,000 crore. He revealed that approximately 42 lakh hectares of crops have been severely affected, with 216 out of 236 taluks declared as drought-hit regions.
“The state has incurred a staggering crop loss of 42 lakh hectares, resulting in a monumental loss of ₹30,000 crore this year. Adhering to the protocols outlined by the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), we have formally requested ₹4,860 crore in assistance from the Central government. In response, a Central team has conducted an assessment of the regions affected by the drought,” Siddaramaiah stated.
Furthermore, he disclosed that the state government had previously announced a drought in 195 taluks, which has now escalated to 216 taluks following a recent meeting of the cabinet sub-committee.
To aid the affected farmers, Siddaramaiah assured that the government is committed to providing crucial support measures, including input subsidies for drinking water, fodder, cattle, employment opportunities, and various other relief initiatives.
“This year, a distinctive challenge has emerged with the advent of what we refer to as ‘green drought,’ where the crops have grown, but the yield has been severely compromised,” he emphasized.