Karnataka announces Rs 2,500 subsidy for drought-hit farmers

The Karnataka state government has announced an interim input subsidy of Rs 2,500 for approximately 45 to 50 lakh drought-affected farmers. This first phase of assistance is expected to cost the state exchequer roughly Rs 1,250 crore as the administration awaits assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara reported that 177 taluks have already been declared drought-hit, with potentially 50 more qualifying under prescribed criteria. Preliminary loss estimates for the state are around Rs 40,000 crore. The state government has repeatedly requested assistance from the Union Government and has urged for the drought situation to be declared a national calamity.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed a willingness to lead an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek a farm loan waiver. Shivakumar stated that the state is prepared to bear its share of the financial burden to secure central support, suggesting a cost-sharing formula with the Centre to sustain farmers during the crisis.