Now Reading: Karnataka cabinet to discuss drought, crop losses on August 13
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Karnataka cabinet to discuss drought, crop losses on August 13
The Karnataka cabinet will discuss the drought-like situation and crop losses on Thursday, August 13, Minister Priyank Kharge said on Monday after inspecting rain-hit fields in Kalaburagi. The state has recorded a…
The Story in Brief
The Karnataka cabinet will discuss the drought-like situation and crop losses on Thursday, August 13, Minister Priyank Kharge said on Monday after inspecting rain-hit fields in Kalaburagi. The state has recorded a rainfall deficit of about 75%, which Kharge attributed to the Super El Niño phenomenon. He said the chief minister had directed ministers to visit affected areas and submit reports. The state has sought relaxation of NDRF norms to ensure fair compensation, as stringent provisions make it difficult to pay farmers adequately. Kharge noted that nearly 4.5 lakh farmers in Kalaburagi have enrolled for crop insurance this year. In Vijayapura, District In-charge Minister M B Patil directed officials to prepare a scientific report on crop damage. He said sowing has been completed on 87.7% of the targeted area, but a 14% rainfall deficit has affected crops like cotton, sugarcane, and sunflower. Both ministers assured funds for drinking water: Rs 1 crore per constituency in Kalaburagi and additional Rs 4 crore for the task force in Vijayapura.
The Indian Opinion
The state government has acted swiftly with field visits and a cabinet meeting, but the real test will be whether compensation actually reaches every affected farmer. Last year, nearly 20% of gram panchayat areas in Kalaburagi were left out, according to Priyank Kharge. The Centre’s NDRF norms are a hurdle, but even relaxed rules won’t fix delayed disbursals or climate-proofing. Watch how many of the 4.5 lakh enrolled farmers in Kalaburagi receive claims by year-end.
Sources (2): thehindu.com, deccanherald.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
