SALAR NEWS

K'taka to declare drought by month-end if rain deficit persists

Meanwhile, the BJP demanded the government pay at least Rs 50,000 per acre to farmers hit by deficient rainfall in North and Kalyana Karnataka.

Salar News

Urban Development Minister Yathindra said precautionary measures are already in place to prevent a drinking water shortage (Representative image)

Bidar, 13 July

State Urban Development Minister Yathindra has said that if the shortage of rainfall continues until the end of this month, it will be possible to declare drought-affected taluks based on the Central government's guidelines.

Speaking to reporters, he said that the Central Government has laid down specific rules for assessing drought conditions. He explained that factors such as the extent of crop damage and the severity of the rainfall deficit must be evaluated before declaring any taluk as drought-affected.

"If the rainfall deficit continues until the end of this month, the Central Government's prescribed criteria will be fulfilled. The State Government will then submit a proposal to the Centre seeking approval to declare the affected taluks as drought-hit," he said.

He added that the State Government has already taken several precautionary measures to manage a possible drought and is ensuring that there is no shortage of drinking water.

The Chief Minister is reviewing the situation at the divisional level and gathering ground-level information, while district ministers are conducting meetings in their respective regions, he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday demanded that the Congress government in Karnataka should provide compensation of at least Rs 50,000 per acre to farmers affected by deficient rainfall in of North Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters here, the BJP state president BY Vijayendra alleged that three million hectares remained unsown due to the delayed monsoon.

Vijayendra said districts such as Raichur, Kalaburagi and Yadgir had received only around 12 per cent of the normal rainfall, leaving farmers unable to sow crops including Tur (pigeon pea), sunflower and cotton.

Vijayendra said the rainfall deficit had pushed farmers into severe distress and accused Chief Minister DK Shivakumar of merely conducting a "photo-op" during his recent visit to Basavakalyan instead of announcing relief measures.