Drought: CM seeks Rs 4,860 crore from Centre

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared that the crop damage incurred due to drought in the state amounts to Rs 30,000 crore, adding that they had demanded Rs 4,860 crore from the Union government as per the norms of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

He made the comments to mediapersons at the Muruga Mutt premises in Chitradurga on Friday. Responding to a query about the arrival of the Central Drought Study Team to the state, the CM said that the State government had briefed them.

“Out of total 236 taluks, 195 taluks have been declared drought affected. More than Rs 30,000 crores worth crops have been damaged. The state has suffered crop loss in about 42 lakh hectare, which amounts to 52 percent of crops. Apart from Upper Krishna and Narayanpur Reservoirs, there is no water in other reservoirs including the Cauvery. A compensation of Rs 4860 crore has been sought from the Centre as per the guidelines,” Siddaramaiah said.

“There is a green drought this year. The study team of the Centre is visiting 11 districts of the state in three teams. After submitting the report, the Centre will provide compensation based on the report,” he added.

A green drought is understood to be phenomenon wherein there is limited rainfall, which causes new plants to grow but insubstantially.

‘Farm research must combat climate change’

The CM also stressed that research should provide solutions to agricultural problems that crop up on account of climate change.

“Research should be increased in agriculture and horticulture universities. In the backdrop of climate change, a study must be conducted regarding crops which are feasible and which will benefit the farmers. It does not matter how many graduates come out of agricultural universities. It is important as to how many varieties of crops have been developed,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that the State government was willing to provide necessary funds for said research.