Bengaluru/Mysuru: Karnataka will submit a memorandum to the Centre seeking drought relief by the first week of Sept, deputy CM and revenue minister G Parameshwara said Saturday.Parameshwara said govt had so far declared 101 taluks as drought-affected and will continue assessing the situation for another 15 days. More taluks could be added to the list based on the findings. Subsequently, central teams will visit the state to conduct a survey, following which drought relief will be released.The Centre, he said, had decided to provide Rs 1,200 crore under State Disaster Response Fund and the state had sought its immediate release. “We will distribute the money to farmers within a week or 10 days,” he said, adding SDRF contribution will be shared between the state and Centre in 25:75 ratio.Parameshwara said ensuring adequate drinking water, fodder for livestock and employment opportunities to prevent migration would be the govt’s immediate priorities. “We will decide on the compensation to be provided to farmers per acre. Drinking water, fodder for livestock and taking up works to prevent migration are our first priorities. We have already initiated measures in this regard,” he added.Recalling the 2023 drought, Parameshwara said Karnataka had suffered losses estimated at Rs 39,000 crore and submitted a proposal seeking Rs 18,000 crore in relief. The state had to take the issue to the Supreme Court, following which Rs 3,500 crore was released.Parameshwara said he had urged the Centre to avoid a repeat of the previous experience and immediately release funds under the State Disaster Response Fund.The Centre, he said, had decided to provide Rs 1,200 crore under SDRF, and the state had sought its immediate release. “ I will help us provide compensation to farmers. We will distribute the money to farmers within a week or 10 days,” he said, adding that the SDRF contribution would be shared between the state and Centre in a 25:75 ratio.
