Bengaluru: The Karnataka government will provide a minimum drought compensation of Rs 5,000 to every eligible farmer, with the balance amount to be released in subsequent instalments to those who received less in the first phase, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said.
Clarifying concerns over payments, Parameshwara said the first instalment was not the final compensation. Farmers who received Rs 2,000 will get an additional Rs 3,000, while those paid Rs 2,500 will receive the remaining Rs 2,500.
He said a government order issued on October 23, 2026, had approved an initial payment of Rs 2,500 per eligible farmer towards crop loss. Accordingly, relief distribution of Rs 17.43 crore was initiated on November 5 for 1,06,462 farmers in Yadgir district.
Under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines, compensation is fixed at Rs 1,500 for rain-fed crops, Rs 2,600 for irrigated crops and Rs 3,200 for perennial crops. However, the state has decided to ensure a minimum payment of Rs 5,000 to eligible farmers, irrespective of the extent of their landholding.
Depending on crop damage, landholding and applicable criteria, farmers can receive compensation of up to Rs 60,000, he said.
Parameshwara said officials had been instructed to ensure transparency and expedite the release of pending payments. Complaints from farmers who received insufficient compensation or faced difficulties in getting the next instalment would be reviewed.
He urged farmers not to believe rumours about the relief process and asked opposition parties not to politicise their distress. The government would address grievances and ensure that no eligible farmer was left out, he said.
