Minister Eshwar Khandre asks Karnataka BJP to get special central assistance for drought relief if it has concern for State

Karnataka Rural Development Minister Eshwar B. Khandre. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Ridiculing the Opposition BJP for its plans to study the drought situation in the State, RDPR Minister B. Eshwar Khandre on Monday asked the state BJP leaders to bring pressure on the Centre to release the Central funds that are due to Karnataka and also get clearance to the pending Mahadayi project if they really have any concern towards the state’s development.Speaking to mediapersons in Bengaluru, Mr. Khandre said the proposed drought study tour of the BJP was akin to shedding crocodile tears and urged the State BJP leaders to work towards getting special assistance from the Centre for the State to handle the drought.He alleged that the BJP leaders lacked concern towards the State’s farmers, drought-hit people and youth, and were embarking upon the drought study tour only to show that they were doing something.The Minister reiterated that the State had adequate funds to create 1.5 crore human days of work a month at the rate of five lakh human days a day under the VB-GRAM G scheme. The State and the Centre had released a share of ₹1,200 crore and ₹1,700 crore respectively for the scheme’s implementation for the first quarter of the financial year, he pointed out.The CEOs of Zilla Panchayats and village panchayat officials concerned had been instructed to provide jobs under this scheme to the job aspirants in their place of stay to prevent inconvenience, he said. Published - July 27, 2026 05:20 pm IST