The Inter-ministerial Central Team (IMCT) wound up its tour of 13 drought-affected districts in Karnataka. It is expected to submit its report to the Centre in a week. Karnataka is hopeful that the Centre will acknowledge what it has termed as a ‘green drought’ this year, caused by erratic rainfall, damaging crop output.
Expecting the Centre to release funds for drought relief at the earliest, the Ministers exuded confidence that the IMCT was convinced about the drought conditions prevailing in Karnataka. The team that assessed crop damage, MGNREGA work, and fodder situation, among others, in the districts met the State’s Cabinet sub-committee on Monday before heading back to Delhi.
In a memorandum submitted earlier, the State had pegged the losses at ₹30,432 crore, and had sought ₹4,860 crore from the Centre.
While the team is learnt to have expressed satisfaction over the drought memorandum matching ground realities, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said: “We are confident that the Central team is convinced with the realities of green drought prevailing on the ground, and are hopeful that the Centre will releases grants at the earlier. The State is hopeful that the Central team does not come to a conclusion that there is no drought on the basis of standing crops. Erratic rainfall has damaged crops.”
The Minister will write to the Centre again seeking an appointment with the Union Agriculture Minister and Union Home Minister for early release of funds. “It is a secondary matter as to how much will they give. We are seeking the release of money at the earliest.”
The team has learnt that farmers have suffered losses due to crop failure, that the State may not receive good rains during the retreating monsoon, and there is a possibility of shortage of drinking water, Mr. Gowda told mediapersons here after meeting the IMCT members.
Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy said that it was too early to say anything on the funds to be released by the Centre. “In a democracy, we have to work together. I do not want to politicise this issue. Let us hope that the Centre is convinced and will react positively.”
Karnataka has also appraised the team of different climatic condition experienced by the State this monsoon. “If June saw rainfall deficiency of 58%, the State recorded a 28% excess in July, followed by deficiency of 73% in August and 28% in September.” This erratic condition should be considered seriously by the Centre. “It has to be studied if similar situation exists in other States too. The Centre can draw plans and programmes keeping this scenario in mind.”
