Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday, 24 September pressed the Centre to urgently release drought relief for the state, asserting it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's duty to assist as more than 200 taluks remained gripped by drought, farmland lay destroyed, and acute shortages of power and water deepened across Karnataka.

Key Demands from the State

Speaking to reporters outside his residence in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the state government was formally seeking Central assistance to address the worsening crisis. 'More than 200 taluks in Karnataka are reeling under drought, and farmers' crops have been destroyed. Power generation has declined, and the shortage of water has increased. Therefore, it is the Prime Minister's duty to provide assistance to Karnataka,' he said.

The Chief Minister confirmed that an all-party delegation would travel to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Modi, pending an appointment. 'The Deputy Chief Minister has conducted an in-depth study of the drought situation. Immediate interim relief should be provided now, followed by a detailed assessment of the drought and additional assistance,' Shivakumar added. He expressed confidence that Opposition legislators and Members of Parliament from Karnataka would back the relief demand.

Power Crisis and Emergency Measures

On the accompanying power shortage, Shivakumar noted that several states were procuring electricity at ₹20–22 per unit on the open market, a rate Karnataka too faces pressure to absorb. He said officials of the Energy Department had been directed to take necessary steps to protect consumers.

In a separate measure, the state government has convened a meeting with sugar factory owners, intending to channel electricity generated by their co-generation units to the state grid rather than selling it elsewhere. The government is also reportedly exploring the feasibility of setting up thermal power plants to plug the supply gap over the medium term.

Shivakumar Pushes Back on BJP Finance Criticism

The Chief Minister also responded sharply to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) protests over Karnataka's fiscal position, which the Opposition has described as the state's economy being 'dead.' Shivakumar argued that Finance Department advisories were routine, issued during every administration. 'It had also issued warnings during the governments of B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai. If necessary, I can release the documents,' he said, accusing the BJP of politicising a standard bureaucratic process.

Challenging the Opposition on its irrigation record, he said: 'Shall I give them a list of how much money was available with the Irrigation Department during their government and how many works they awarded?' He also dismissed calls for his resignation: 'If they want my resignation, let them take it,' he said. 'Criticising is very easy, but managing the situation when you are in power is challenging,' Shivakumar added, asserting his government would handle the crisis effectively.

What Happens Next

The timeline for the all-party delegation's visit to Delhi depends on securing an audience with the Prime Minister. A formal Central assessment of drought severity — distinct from the interim relief being sought — is expected to follow, which will determine the scale of any National Disaster Relief Fund disbursement. The power situation, meanwhile, could worsen further if the ongoing deficit is not addressed before peak winter demand sets in.