Bengaluru, 15 October

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said that the estimated losses due to the drought is likely to be between Rs 60,000-Rs 70,000 crore, with 226 taluks in the State being declared drought-hit.

But, given the NRDF guidelines, Karnataka is going to ask for relief of approximately Rs 18,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore from the Centre. 

“Last year, even though losses amounted to approximately Rs 49,000 crore, around Rs 18,000 crore in relief was sought from the Central government as per NDRF guidelines,” Parameshwara told reporters after the Cabinet meeting. 

These were only preliminary estimates, and the final amount would be determined after a detailed assessment of losses and calculations under the applicable NDRF guidelines, he clarified.

He said the State government was preparing a final memorandum detailing drought-related losses, which was expected to be completed within the next one or two days.

An all-party delegation, led by the CM will then go the New Delhi and explain the severity of the drought situation in Karnataka and submit a final memorandum seeking assistance, he added.  He said that this delegation will go and meet the Prime Minister even if the Opposition doesn’t join.