Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara on Tuesday, 1 September conducted a ground inspection of drought-hit areas across Mysuru district, visiting crop-damaged fields in the K.R. Nagar, Hunsur, and Varuna Assembly constituencies. He assured farmers that the state government would finalise relief measures only after completing a comprehensive damage assessment.

What Parameshwara Found on the Ground

Addressing reporters at Kattemalalavadi village in Hunsur taluk, Parameshwara said the scale of damage was significant. More than 16,000 hectares of tobacco crop alone had been affected in Hunsur taluk this season. He noted that if one taluk had recorded such losses, the situation in the six neighbouring taluks was likely comparable.

'After completing today's drought inspection, we will discuss the matter with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and in the Cabinet and decide what assistance can be extended to farmers,' he said. He added that the government would review the situation again within a week, with additional areas meeting prescribed criteria to be declared drought-affected thereafter.

State Assessment and Central Relief Process

Parameshwara confirmed that 101 taluks had already been declared drought-affected under the state's own assessment framework. However, he clarified that a state-level declaration alone does not qualify an area for Central government relief — a separate process governed by Union Government guidelines must be followed.

Karnataka plans to submit a comprehensive drought memorandum to the Centre within two weeks. Central teams will subsequently visit the state to conduct their own assessment, after which relief funds could be released. The distinction between state and central eligibility criteria is a recurring friction point in drought relief cycles across India.

Crop Insurance Gaps and Downy Mildew Threat

Two specific issues emerged as coverage gaps during the inspection. First, maize crops in the region have been hit by Downy Mildew disease, which is currently not covered under any crop insurance scheme. Parameshwara said the government would hold discussions with insurance companies to explore remedial options.

Second, tobacco and other commercial crops are excluded from compensation under the Centre's existing norms. Since these crops fall outside the standard relief framework, the matter will be escalated to Chief Minister Shivakumar and the Cabinet for a policy-level decision.

Cloud Seeding and Rainfall Outlook

On artificial rainfall measures, Parameshwara said orders for cloud seeding had already been issued and technical preparations were underway. Experts, he noted, had indicated the exercise was more likely to produce light showers than heavy rainfall — but even modest precipitation could offer some relief to stressed crops.

Weather forecasts, he added, suggested that rainfall in the region could largely cease by the first or second week of September, making early intervention critical. The government is expected to announce farmer support measures in the coming days before the window for any meaningful crop recovery closes.

Review Meeting and Political Presence

Parameshwara later chaired a progress review meeting at the Mysuru Zilla Panchayat auditorium, where he sought detailed updates from officials on drought management, drinking water availability for both people and livestock, and rural employment opportunities under existing schemes.

Mysuru District In-charge Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Hunsur MLA Harish Gowda, K.R. Nagar MLA Ravishankar, former MLA H.P. Manjunath, Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikanth Reddy, and senior district officials were present. Chief Minister Shivakumar, meanwhile, was conducting parallel inspections in Gadag, with other Cabinet ministers deployed to their respective assigned districts.

The government's next formal review is expected within a week, with the Central drought memorandum submission serving as the key milestone that could unlock federal relief for affected farmers.