The state sustained a loss of Rs 17,193 crore, and nearly 35 lakh farmers had been left disaffected as a result of drought in 2016, chief minister Siddaramaiah informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday. Siddaramaiah urged Modi to immediately release Rs 4,702.54 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) to help Karnataka tide over the crisis.
The CM pointed out that 139 of the 176 taluks in Karnataka had been declared drought-hit. "Deficit rainfall has adversely impacted agriculture activity in 36.35 lakh hectares in the state," he told Modi.
Siddaramaiah added that the state was reeling under the effects of a sixth consecutive drought. "An inter-ministerial team toured the affected areas between November 2 and 5. But we are still waiting for the release of funds," he said, adding that the state was also in need of funds to take up relief work in the five flood-hit districts in north Karnataka.
Lauding Modi for increasing the budget under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) from Rs 6.07 crore to Rs 10 crore per day, Siddaramaiah requested him to increase the quota of work for each household from 100 days to 200 in the drought-hit taluks. He urged the Centre to release the second tranche of funds, amounting to Rs 2,856.72 crore, for MNREGS.
'PM heard our plea on Mahadayi'
Siddaramaiah also urged Modi to intervene in the Mahadayi river dispute, wherein the state is locked in a battle with Goa. "Although he gave us no assurance in this issue, he did hear our plea," Siddaramaiah said. The state is seeking the diversion of 7.56tmcft water from the Mahadayi River to the Kalasa-Banduri project to meet the drinking water needs of a few areas in north Karnataka.
The CM pointed out that 139 of the 176 taluks in Karnataka had been declared drought-hit. "Deficit rainfall has adversely impacted agriculture activity in 36.35 lakh hectares in the state," he told Modi.
Siddaramaiah added that the state was reeling under the effects of a sixth consecutive drought. "An inter-ministerial team toured the affected areas between November 2 and 5. But we are still waiting for the release of funds," he said, adding that the state was also in need of funds to take up relief work in the five flood-hit districts in north Karnataka.
Lauding Modi for increasing the budget under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) from Rs 6.07 crore to Rs 10 crore per day, Siddaramaiah requested him to increase the quota of work for each household from 100 days to 200 in the drought-hit taluks. He urged the Centre to release the second tranche of funds, amounting to Rs 2,856.72 crore, for MNREGS.
'PM heard our plea on Mahadayi'
Siddaramaiah also urged Modi to intervene in the Mahadayi river dispute, wherein the state is locked in a battle with Goa. "Although he gave us no assurance in this issue, he did hear our plea," Siddaramaiah said. The state is seeking the diversion of 7.56tmcft water from the Mahadayi River to the Kalasa-Banduri project to meet the drinking water needs of a few areas in north Karnataka.