Karnataka has expanded its drought-hit list to 226 taluks, while the state government estimates that losses from the drought could eventually reach between ₹60,000 crore and ₹70,000 crore. Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said the final memorandum seeking central assistance would be completed within the next one or two days.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha after a cabinet meeting, Parameshwara said nine more taluks had been added to the drought-hit list. The total has therefore risen from the 217 taluks declared drought-affected earlier to 226.
The government is still assessing conditions in the remaining taluks. Parameshwara said areas that qualify under the Trigger-1 criteria would undergo a ground-truthing process. If the assessment confirms their eligibility, more taluks could be added to the list. Otherwise, the present list of 226 taluks will be treated as final.
The state has already made a preliminary estimate of around ₹46,000 crore in drought-related losses. Parameshwara said the final assessment could put the loss at between ₹60,000 crore and ₹70,000 crore, but clarified that the entire amount could not be claimed from the Centre as compensation.
Under National Disaster Response Fund guidelines, the state must calculate separately the portion of losses eligible for assistance. Parameshwara said Karnataka had estimated losses of about ₹49,000 crore last year but sought approximately ₹18,000 crore from the Centre under the applicable NDRF norms. If this year’s total losses reach around ₹60,000 crore, the state could seek between ₹18,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore, he said. These figures remain preliminary and the final request will be determined after the assessment is completed.
The final memorandum will include the full details of the losses and the amount calculated under NDRF guidelines. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed that an all-party delegation should accompany the state government when the memorandum is submitted to the Centre, according to Parameshwara.
Opposition parties have already indicated that they will not participate in the delegation. Parameshwara said the government would contact them again and request their participation. If they decline, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and a group of ministers are expected to travel to New Delhi and seek meetings with the Prime Minister and the concerned Union ministers to present Karnataka’s drought situation and relief requirements.
