BENGALURU: Karnataka has declared nine more taluks drought-affected, taking the total number of drought-hit taluks to 226, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara said after a Cabinet meeting at Vidhana Soudha.
He said 217 taluks had earlier been declared drought-affected, while assessments were continuing in the remaining areas. Taluks meeting the ‘Trigger-1’ criteria would undergo field verification and be added to the list if found eligible.
The state government is preparing a final memorandum detailing drought-related losses, which is expected to be completed within a day or two. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed that an all-party delegation visit the Centre to seek relief, Parameshwara said.
Opposition leaders would be invited to join the delegation. If they decline, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and selected ministers would meet the Prime Minister and concerned Union ministers.
The state’s drought-related losses are currently estimated at around ₹46,000 crore, with preliminary projections suggesting the figure could rise to ₹60,000–70,000 crore.
Parameshwara clarified that the government could not seek compensation for the entire estimated loss. The eligible amount would have to be calculated under the guidelines of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Last year, against estimated losses of around ₹49,000 crore, Karnataka sought approximately ₹18,000 crore in central assistance. This time, the state may seek ₹18,000–20,000 crore, depending on the final assessment, he said.
Parameshwara also said the government had decided to file a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict that struck down the increase in SC/ST reservation.
Further legal and administrative options, including the possibility of placing the reservation issue in the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule, would be discussed by the Cabinet’s Political Affairs Committee, he added.
