Drought situation extremely serious; Govt taking measures to support farmers and public: Karnataka Dy CM

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said the drought situation remains extremely serious across large parts of Karnataka, affecting food production and creating shortages of fodder and drinking water.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said the drought situation remains extremely serious across large parts of Karnataka, affecting food production and creating shortages of fodder and drinking water. The Deputy CM further stated that the State Government is taking necessary measures to address the crisis while continuing its efforts to secure drought-relief funds from the Union Government.

Speaking to the media near his Sadashivanagar residence on Monday, he said he had visited several drought-affected areas, including parts of North Karnataka, inspected the ground situation and interacted directly with farmers. Although some areas have received rainfall recently, the severity of the drought has not reduced across much of the State. He said food production has been severely affected, with an estimated 82% loss, raising concerns over the availability of food grains. Fodder availability for livestock has also declined, while drinking water shortages are becoming increasingly serious.

Drinking water is already being supplied in several places through tankers and hired private borewells. However, if the available water sources themselves dry up, even supplying water through tankers will become difficult. The situation approaching such a stage is a matter of serious concern, he said. Parameshwara said drought-affected areas are declared and crop and other losses assessed in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Union Government. Based on this assessment, relief is sought from the Centre under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms.

The State has already drawn the Centre’s attention to the drought situation, and work is now underway on a third memorandum seeking drought relief. It is expected to be ready within the next two days and will then be submitted to the Union Government. The Chief Minister will take the final decision on whether the memorandum will be submitted by the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister or a delegation. Earlier, the Chief Minister had proposed taking an all-party delegation to the Centre. However, since Opposition parties have expressed differing views on participating in such a delegation, the next course of action will be decided after discussion.

He said the release of funds by the Union Government would help provide relief to farmers and others affected by the drought and urged the Centre to release the necessary assistance. The State Government is not waiting for Central funds and is using its own resources to undertake drought-relief measures and address drinking water shortages. Funds have already been provided for drinking water supply, and Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers are managing the situation at the district level. Tankers and hired private borewells are being used wherever required.

Parameshwara said the Centre has so far not released even a single rupee for works under the VB-G RAM G scheme. Despite this, the State Government is providing funds from its own resources and continuing the works. The State Government is spending around ₹1,250 crore solely to provide ₹2,500 each to farmers as drought relief. Despite the substantial financial burden, the Government is continuing to respond to the difficulties faced by farmers and the public, he said.

Responding to questions on the ongoing sting operation controversy and the political allegations and counter-allegations surrounding it, Parameshwara said the developments were certainly not healthy. Mistakes may have occurred in public life and similar incidents may have happened in the past, but allowing matters to reach this level is not appropriate. Those holding responsible positions, including Union Ministers, should consider their stature, responsibilities and the consequences of their statements, he said.

Public allegations and counter-allegations involving Chief Ministers, former Chief Ministers and those holding positions of authority create an unpleasant situation. If everyone continues issuing statements on the controversy, one must consider where it will ultimately lead. He said it would therefore be better not to continue discussing the issue extensively in public and that restraint was preferable to repeated reactions. Asked whether the controversy was damaging the Government’s image, he said the Chief Minister and others in the Government would discuss how the dignity of the Government should be protected and how the facts should be communicated to the public, and take necessary steps.

It is not appropriate for one person to immediately respond every time another makes an allegation. The country has a legal system, and whatever action is required will be taken within the framework of law. The Home Minister is taking necessary steps, and the Chief Minister has also spoken on the matter. The Government will discuss the issue and take a final decision, he said. Responding to questions about speculation that a Dalit leader could be made Chief Minister during the present term in the wake of the controversy, with the names of G. Parameshwara, Priyank Kharge and Mallikarjun Kharge being mentioned, he said he had no such information.

“If I myself do not know about it, how has the media come to know? There must at least be some basis for any discussion. It is not right to create speculation without any basis,” he said. Responding to Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s statements about returning to State politics and coming to power in 2028, Parameshwara said no one can predict today who will come to power in 2028. The people of Karnataka will decide that, he said.

Asked about the political strategies surrounding such statements, he said, “Let us wait and see.” “If Kumaraswamy wants to return to State politics, who can stop him? If he wishes, he can resign from his present position tomorrow itself and become active in State politics. In politics, no one can prevent another person from participating,” he said. (ANI)