Karnataka has formally requested approximately ₹22,000 crore in drought relief from the Centre under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines, against an estimated total crop loss of ₹62,000 crore, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara announced on Friday, 6 November 2026. Speaking to reporters near his residence in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said the state had already submitted three memorandums to the Union government and was seeking urgent appointments with senior Central ministers.

What Karnataka Has Demanded

The state's relief claim of ₹22,000 crore has been calculated in accordance with NDRF norms, as the full estimated crop loss of ₹62,000 crore cannot be claimed from the Centre under existing guidelines. Parameshwara said the state had sought meetings with the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, and the Union Agriculture Minister to present the ground situation.

'If appointments are granted, we will meet them with an all-party delegation. Otherwise, we will go under the leadership of the Chief Minister and submit our request,' Parameshwara said.

Relief to Farmers: ₹5,000 Per Farmer in Two Tranches

The state government has already released ₹1,250 crore as the first instalment of drought assistance — amounting to ₹2,500 per farmer — through Direct Benefit Transfer. More than three lakh farmers in Yadgir district alone have reportedly received this assistance. Following a revision in Central guidelines that increased the benchmark relief amount, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar agreed to disburse an additional ₹2,500 per farmer, taking the total relief to ₹5,000 per farmer. The second tranche, requiring another ₹1,250 crore, is expected to be released within one to two weeks.

Local Drought Infrastructure Support

Beyond direct farmer assistance, the government has allocated ₹1 crore to each Assembly constituency and between ₹4 crore and ₹5 crore to districts for drinking water arrangements and other essential relief works. This comes amid one of the more severe drought cycles Karnataka has recorded in recent years, affecting multiple agro-climatic zones across the state.

Political Row Over Fare and Price Hikes

Parameshwara also defended the state government's recent decisions to raise transport fares and increase milk and curd prices, arguing that fiscal management required balancing the interests of multiple groups — including drought-hit farmers, sugarcane growers, and government employees due Dearness Allowance increases. Responding to criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the transport fare hike, he claimed that petrol and diesel prices had been increased approximately 14 times since the BJP came to power at the Centre, raising costs for transport operators and farmers alike who depend on diesel for tractors and agricultural equipment. He added that the state's revenue position was better than the previous year, with healthy collections from commercial taxes, excise, and stamp and registration charges.

What Happens Next

The Karnataka government is awaiting confirmation of appointments in New Delhi or Mysuru, depending on the Prime Minister's schedule. If the Centre approves a substantial portion of the ₹22,000 crore demand, it could meaningfully supplement the state's own relief outlay, which remains strained given competing fiscal commitments. The release of the second farmer instalment within the stated fortnight will serve as an early indicator of the government's ability to follow through on its drought relief commitments.