Karnataka government’s initial estimate of drought-related losses pegged at ₹18,000 crore

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar interacts with a farmer during his recent visit to drought-hit areas in North Karnataka. | Photo Credit: special arrangement The initial estimate of drought-related losses, mostly from crop loss, in the 101 drought-hit taluks of Karnataka has been pegged at ₹18,000 crore, even as the State is preparing to submit the first memorandum to the Centre seeking financial help in the next two to three days.“As and when more taluks are declared drought-hit, the State will submit more memorandums. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and I will go to Delhi when the final memorandum is submitted,” Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara told presspersons here in the post-Cabinet briefing.“Though our estimate is about ₹18,000 crore, the memorandum will be drawn based on the NDRF guidelines. Last year, Karnataka estimated total loss of about ₹39,000 crore, but sought ₹18,000 crore from the Centre,” he added. Dr. Parameshwara said that ground truthing exercise has been completed in 24 taluks and will be completed in 18 taluks in a day or two, following which new taluks will be included in the drought–hit taluks list. Recalling last year’s episode when the State approached the Supreme Court for the release of drought relief after protests did not yield results, he said: “On the Supreme Court’s direction, we received ₹3,500 crore. We are hopeful that it does not repeat this year.”Stating that about 49 lakh farmers have opted for crop insurance this year, he said that the State will compensate farmers depending on the quantum of amount released by the Centre. To a question on loan waiver, he said that the Centre should announce it. “We will see what we can do depending on our finances.” Negila Yogi YojaneThe government has announced a new scheme for farmers owning three acres or less, and who have left their land fallow for want of plough and oxen. The pilot project will be launched in one taluk in each of the 31 districts this year. About ₹152 crore has been sanctioned for the scheme. There are about 59 lakh farmers who own three acres or less in Karnataka.“The government will rent tractors that are available with private persons in villages and till the land for needy farmers for free. If tractors are not available in the village, it will be brought from outside,” Dr. Parameshwara said.Teak schemeTo boost the income of farmers who have plots by the roadside, the government has also approved ‘Tega (teak) Siri’ on which about ₹493 crore will be spent. “Teak saplings will be planted by the Forest Department in land adjacent to roads. Farmers will have to look after them till the trees mature. Farmers will get a tree patta. When the tree is sold, 70% of the profit will go to farmers,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.Bharat Jodi Sanghas to be launched by month-endDeputy Chief Minster G. Parameshwara said that the government has released an application format for membership to Bharat Jodo Sanghas that has already received 7.36 lakh applications, and acknowledged that the membership registration had stopped owing to technical problems.“We are hopeful of reaching 10 lakh membership, and we will launch the sanghas by the month-end. Approximately, each Assembly constituency will receive about ₹4 crore annually. One of the government officials will be made an authorised signatory for cheques along with the sangha president,” he said. Published - September 09, 2026 08:33 pm IST