K'taka CM Siddaramaiah writes to Shah, Sitharaman to expedite releasing drought relief funds

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to expedite process of releasing drought relief funds to state.

In separate letters to three Central ministers, Siddaramaiah highlighted dismal rainfall this year which was lowest in last 122 years.

chief minister pointed out that out of 236 taluks, 223 have been declared drought hit in Karnataka. Among m, 196 are categorised as severely drought affected.

Noting that Karnataka has estimated a loss of Rs 35,162.05 crore, Siddarmaiah said state government has sought Rs 18,171.44 crore from National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) for undertaking drought relief measures in state.

chief minister pointed out that re are 52.73 lakh small and marginal farmers with a land holding of less than two hectares, who are most impacted by drought as majority of m depend on agriculture for living and input subsidy are only available recourse for m to resume agricultural activities.

" state government is seeking Rs 12,577.9 crore to facilitate payment of Gratuitous Relief towards subsistence of small and marginal farmers whose lives and families’ lives are completely dependent on agriculture activities for ir immediate sustenance," chief minister said.