KRRS also appreciated the Supreme Court for its intervention in the drought relief fund matter.
Suggesting that the central fund will not be enough to meet the losses incurred because of drought in the state, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Green Brigade (KRRS) today demanded that the state government should also give Rs. 18,171.44 crore along with Rs. 18,171.44 crore that would be released by the Centre, under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).Kodihalli Chandrashekhar, State President, KRRS, said, “The total loss due to drought is estimated over Rs. 35,000 crore. So, we demand the State and Central governments to together grant a drought relief fund of Rs. 36, 342.88 crore.”
Chandrashekhar thanked that the Supreme Court for its intervention in the drought-related matter and said “The Central and State governments have failed to address the issue of drought relief funds and water shortage. However, due to the Supreme Court’s intervention, there seems to be a solution. We appreciate the Supreme Court for its timely intervention.”
He added, “The drought in Karnataka has been going on for the past six months. Farmers have lost their crops and livestock. Yet, we have not received our rightful share of the drought relief fund.”
On April 22, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that it will take a decision regarding the release of drought relief funds by April 29.
In its petition to the Supreme Court, Karnataka has sought the Supreme Court’s intervention in the delay in release of drought relief funds by the Central government. “The action of the Central government in denying financial assistance to the State is ex facie violative of the fundamental rights of the people of Karnataka guaranteed under Articles 14 (right to equality), 21 (right to life) of the Constitution,” the petition said.
The State sought Rs. 18,171.44 crore under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) six months ago, but the Centre delayed the release of funds. Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the delay was due to the involvement of multiple departments and a prescribed lengthy process, and not intentional.
In 2023, 223 out of 236 taluks of the state were declared as drought-affected, with 196 taluks categorised as severely affected and the remaining 27 categorised as moderately affected. The rainfall in June last year was at a 56 percent deficiency—the third lowest in the last 122 years.
