Karnataka seeks ₹3,705 crore drought relief; Central team begins 3-day assessment
Synopsis
Karnataka has formally demanded ₹3,705.30 crore in federal drought relief as a Central team begins a three-day field tour — with 217 of 240 taluks declared drought-hit, even the usually rain-fed Malnad and coastal belts are reeling. The scale of the crisis, confirmed by a special legislative session where 150 MLAs spoke, points to one of Karnataka's worst agricultural emergencies in decades.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar has formally sought ₹3,705.30 crore in drought relief from the Centre under NDRF norms.
A Central inter-ministerial team led by Joint Secretary Ajit Kumar Sahu has begun a three-day tour of Karnataka to assess ground conditions.
217 of Karnataka's 240 taluks have been officially declared drought-hit after a scientific assessment.
The state has announced ₹2,500 immediate relief per affected farmer but says federal aid is essential.
Sugarcane growers are demanding higher prices; milk producers are seeking a minimum ₹10 per litre increase.
A special legislative session saw 150 MLAs speak about drought conditions in their constituencies.
A Central inter-ministerial drought assessment team arrived in Karnataka on 3 October 2026 and assured Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of submitting an objective, field-based report after a three-day statewide tour. The state has formally sought ₹3,705.30 crore in drought relief from the Centre under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms, citing severe crop losses and agrarian distress across 217 of 240 taluks.
What the Central Team Said
Ajit Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and head of the visiting team, gave the assurance during a meeting with Shivakumar at the Chief Minister's official residence, Krishna, in Bengaluru. Sahu said the team would travel across the state, assess ground conditions directly, and collect data from state officials before finalising its report. The assurance was significant given Karnataka's expectation of swift federal assistance.
Scale of the Drought Crisis
Shivakumar told the Central team that 217 of Karnataka's 240 taluks had been declared drought-hit following a scientific assessment conducted in strict adherence to the Centre's disaster management guidelines. He stressed that the identification was free from political influence. 'Without yielding to any pressure, the drought-hit taluks were identified after a highly scientific assessment by strictly following the disaster management guidelines of the Central government,' he said.
Water inflows into reservoirs have been critically low across most of the state, with the notable exception of the Krishna basin. Even traditionally water-rich Malnad and coastal regions are reportedly experiencing a severe rainfall deficit — an unusual occurrence that underscores the depth of this season's crisis. Additionally, the Cauvery Water Committee has continued directing Karnataka to release water downstream, compounding pressure on already strained urban and agricultural supply.
Farmers and Agriculture in Distress
The Chief Minister painted a grim picture of rural livelihoods, warning that agricultural distress could have wider cascading effects on Karnataka's economy and society. 'If farmers are distressed, everything comes to a standstill. Therefore, the Central government should come to the aid of Karnataka's farmers,' he said.
The state government has announced an immediate relief of ₹2,500 per affected farmer, but Shivakumar made clear that state resources alone are insufficient. Sugarcane growers are demanding higher procurement prices, while milk producers are pressing for a minimum increase of ₹10 per litre in milk prices, adding further complexity to the agricultural distress. Ministers have already toured districts to assess conditions, and officials have been directed to implement departmental relief measures.
Political and Historical Context
Shivakumar, flanked by Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, described the situation as unprecedented in personal terms. 'This is a very alarming situation,' he said, adding that in their combined four decades of public life, neither he nor Parameshwara had witnessed people facing such acute hardship. The state had convened a special legislative session to hear directly from elected representatives, during which 150 MLAs spoke about conditions in their constituencies — an unusual step that reflects the political gravity of the crisis.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier flagged the drought situation during his visit to Karnataka, following which Shivakumar said he had directed Cabinet colleagues and officials to act. Farmers had also been counselled on sowing decisions given the erratic rainfall pattern this season.
Key Officials Present
The meeting was attended by a senior cross-departmental delegation including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Minister's Economic Adviser L.K. Ateeq, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Dr Uma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Tushar Girinath, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Ritesh Kumar Singh, and Revenue Department (Disaster Management) Principal Secretary Manoj Kumar Meena.
With the Central team's field visits now under way, Karnataka's ₹3,705.30 crore relief claim awaits a federal assessment that could shape both the scale of aid and the political narrative heading into an already fraught agricultural season.
Point of View
705.30 crore demand is a large ask, but the supporting data — 217 of 240 taluks drought-declared, rainfall deficits even in coastal Malnad — makes it harder to dismiss as political posturing. The more telling signal is the special legislative session: when 150 MLAs feel compelled to speak on record about constituency-level distress, the crisis is real and broad. The Central team's report will be the key variable; states have historically received far less than they claimed under NDRF, and Karnataka's challenge is to move that needle with field evidence rather than political pressure alone.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much drought relief has Karnataka sought from the Centre?
Karnataka has formally requested ₹3,705.30 crore in drought relief from the Central government under NDRF norms. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made the request during a meeting with the visiting Central inter-ministerial assessment team on 3 October 2026.
How many taluks in Karnataka have been declared drought-hit?
217 of Karnataka's 240 taluks have been officially declared drought-affected following a scientific assessment conducted in line with the Centre's disaster management guidelines. The Chief Minister stressed the process was free from external pressure.
What will the Central drought assessment team do in Karnataka?
The Central inter-ministerial team, led by Joint Secretary Ajit Kumar Sahu , will undertake a three-day tour across Karnataka, assess ground conditions directly, and collect data from state officials before submitting its report to the Union government.
What immediate relief has the Karnataka state government provided to farmers?
The Karnataka government has announced ₹2,500 in immediate relief per affected farmer. However, the state has made clear that this is insufficient given the scale of the crisis and is pressing the Centre for the larger NDRF-backed assistance.
Why is this drought considered historically severe?
Chief Minister Shivakumar and Deputy CM G. Parameshwara both stated that in their combined four decades of public life, they had not witnessed such acute public hardship. Even traditionally well-watered regions like Malnad and coastal Karnataka are facing a severe rainfall deficit, and a special session of the legislature saw 150 MLAs speak about conditions in their constituencies.
