Mysuru: The estimated loss due to severe drought in Karnataka stands at Rs 25,000 crore, according to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Addressing mediapersons at Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said, “According to rules, we can seek relief of Rs 4,702 crore. Also due to floods in certain parts, the loss is to the tune of Rs 386 crore. We have sought relief from the Central government. Other than that, the State government has also released money for drought relief”.
The CM further informed that the district administrations have been directed to provide drinking water, fodder for cattle and jobs for the needy. He also said that four cabinet sub-committees had been constituted to monitor the measures being undertaken to tackle drought.
Karnataka is reeling under successive years of drought, and the state government has already declared 139 talukas in 29 districts as drought-hit. Through a memorandum, the state had requested the Centre to provide Rs 4,702.54 crore for drought relief measures, following which a team of officials had visited the affected areas.
The committees formed to monitor the drought situation, one each for revenue divisions of Bengaluru, Kalburgi, Belagavi and Mysuru, has four to five ministers as its members and Secretaries or Principal Secretaries of Agriculture, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Water Resources and Revenue Department as coordination officers.
