State seeks Rs 11,000 crore central aid as drought losses mount

Ballari: Karnataka has sought Rs 11,000 crore in drought relief from the Centre against an estimated loss of Rs 46,000 crore, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said during his visit to drought-hit Halakundi village in Ballari taluk on Wednesday.Reviewing crop damage in the village, he said the state is facing its worst drought in 75 years. “The govt has already declared 217 taluks as drought-hit and will add more taluks to the list in the coming days,” he said.Parameshwara said prolonged rain deficit has dried up crops, causing heavy losses to farmers. During his interaction with them, he heard accounts of crop damage and the hardships they continue to face.Farmer Durganna said he had spent about Rs 45,000 cultivating tur on three acres. With adequate rainfall, the fields were expected to yield 5-6 quintals per acre. However, the rain deficit destroyed the crop, leaving him with no yield and substantial losses. Farmers urged the govt to assess the damage and provide adequate compensation. They said the Rs 2,500 relief announced by the govt was insufficient and pointed out that crop insurance claims were yet to be settled despite premiums being paid.Parameshwara said the Centre would provide Rs 8,500 per hectare as drought relief, while the state govt would add Rs 2,500. “We will not allow farmers to die by suicide,” he said.He added that the central drought assessment team may not be able to visit every taluk as it had already obtained satellite data, and the state govt had also presented the drought situation before the team. He assured farmers not to panic if banks issued loan notices, saying the govt had instructed both public and private sector banks not to issue such notices.Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news. Download the TOI App.