Karnataka Minister: Relief for Farmers Hit by Rainfall Deficit Under Consideration

The Karnataka government is considering financial relief for farmers who paid crop insurance premiums but could not sow their fields due to inadequate rainfall, according to Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddy. He made the remarks while reviewing the drought situation in Shirahatti and Laxmeshwar taluks of Gadag district on Saturday.

The Minister said the matter will be placed before the Cabinet for a final decision. He noted that the rainfall deficit has damaged nearly 50% of crops in parts of the district, while about 10% of the cultivable area could not be sown at all. Around 33,000 farmers in the two taluks have paid crop insurance premiums, making them potential beneficiaries of any relief package.

Mr. Rayaraddy stressed the need for accurate assessment of both crop losses and unsown areas. He stated that crop damage had already exceeded 50% in several regions and directed officials to prepare comprehensive and verifiable reports on the ground situation. He cautioned them against submitting preliminary estimates as final figures, urging a scientific approach to data collection.

The Minister also expressed dissatisfaction over discrepancies in information provided on drinking water supply in the two taluks. He asked officials to maintain precise records on villages receiving water, those facing shortages, tanker supplies, and the status of water sources. He ordered a notice to a Panchayat Raj Department engineer for failing to provide adequate information. Additionally, he sought an immediate report on a damaged drinking water pipeline serving Magadi village and directed repairs under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) provisions, if applicable.

On the question of declaring a drought in the state, Mr. Rayaraddy said a decision cannot be taken immediately. He explained that another 15 days are needed to assess rainfall, sowing, and crop damage scientifically. He informed that as many as 171 taluks in Karnataka have reported rainfall deficiency this season.

Earlier in the day, the Minister chaired a review meeting at the Shirahatti Taluk Panchayat auditorium. He sought detailed information on the drinking water situation in both taluks but found the officials unprepared and their data inconsistent. He took them to task for not providing proper information and for failing to come to the meeting with accurate records.

MLA Chandru Lamani, who was present at the meeting, said eligible farmers should receive crop insurance and government compensation without delay. He also emphasised the need to exclude ineligible claims to ensure that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.

According to officials, Shirahatti taluk has reported potential damage exceeding 50% in major crops, including maize, green gram, groundnut, cotton, and pigeon pea. Horticultural losses include 560 acres of onion and 645 acres of chilli. In Laxmeshwar taluk, crop damage has been reported across 30,560 hectares out of 32,920 hectares sown, affecting 15,267 farmers. Horticultural losses there include 245 acres of onion and 2,870 acres of chilli, with an estimated relief requirement of ₹105.91 lakh.

The Minister's visit underscores the severity of the rainfall deficit in the region and the government's effort to gather reliable data before committing to relief measures. The Cabinet is expected to take a decision on the proposed relief once the assessment is complete.