Karnataka has declared 101 taluks drought-affected following a comprehensive review of the state's agrarian crisis, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara announced on Friday, 28 August. A formal drought memorandum will be prepared and submitted to the Union Government shortly, after which central teams are expected to visit the state for ground assessment before releasing relief funds.

Key Developments

Speaking to reporters near his residence in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said the drought situation will be reviewed again in 15 days, and additional taluks may be added to the affected list depending on prevailing conditions. He outlined a clear sequence: the state submits the memorandum, central teams conduct an on-site assessment, and drought relief is subsequently disbursed.

'In the meantime, we will prepare and submit a memorandum to the Centre. Central teams will then visit the State and conduct an assessment, after which drought relief will be released,' Parameshwara said.

Parameshwara Calls for National Farm Loan Waiver

When asked about the possibility of waiving farmers' loans, the Deputy Chief Minister said a Centre-led decision would be the most effective route. He drew a direct parallel with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's farm loan waiver of approximately ₹72,000 crore, arguing that a similar intervention now would benefit distressed cultivators across multiple states.

'Parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar are also facing drought. Just as former prime minister late Manmohan Singh had waived around ₹72,000 crore in farm loans, a similar decision by the Centre now would benefit farmers across the country. I will urge the Union Government to consider this,' he said. This comes amid mounting pressure on the Centre from multiple drought-hit states to announce emergency agricultural relief.

Nagendra Resignation Row

Parameshwara also addressed the ongoing political controversy surrounding Minister for Planning and Statistics B. Nagendra, whose resignation has been demanded by the Opposition in connection with a tribal welfare case. The Deputy Chief Minister maintained that Nagendra's name does not appear in the charge sheet filed in the case and that the government sees no grounds for his resignation.

'We had told the Opposition to raise their questions in the House and that we were ready to answer whatever information they had. Instead, they are unnecessarily demanding his resignation,' Parameshwara said. He added that he was not yet aware of what Chief Minister had discussed with the party leadership on the matter and would seek clarity after speaking to him.

Kannadigas Stranded in Nepal Floods

On a separate front, Parameshwara confirmed that 12 Kannadigas are currently stranded in Nepal amid severe flooding, with reports suggesting more residents from Karnataka may also be affected. He said officials will be dispatched to Kathmandu to gather precise details and that immediate action will follow.

With the drought memorandum to the Centre imminent and a 15-day review window open, the number of affected taluks in Karnataka could rise further before the state's formal relief request is finalised.