Bellary, 08 Oct (H.S.): Karnataka is facing its worst drought in 75 years, with nearly 90 per cent of crops destroyed, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said, asserting that protecting distressed farmers remained the state government’s priority.

After visiting drought-hit areas in Halakundi village in Ballari, Parameshwara, who holds the Revenue portfolio, said 217 of Karnataka’s 240 taluks had been declared drought-affected. Information was being collected from the remaining 23 taluks, with another 10 to 15 likely to be added to the list.

He said repeated cultivation attempts had failed because of inadequate rainfall. Farmers who lost their initial crops tried alternatives, including maize, after receiving some rain, but those efforts also proved unsuccessful. Crop damage extended to irrigated areas, while conditions were particularly severe in Ballari, Vijayanagara and neighbouring regions.

The government had decided to release ₹2,500 to farmers as the first instalment of compensation from its own resources, without waiting for Central assistance. District authorities had been instructed to disburse the amount promptly, with further support planned.

Parameshwara said Central guidelines provided for compensation of ₹8,500 per hectare, but funds had not yet been released. The state would continue providing whatever assistance it could to prevent farmers from being left without support.

Karnataka had submitted two memoranda to the Centre, estimating losses of approximately ₹46,000 crore across 177 taluks. Under National Disaster Response Fund guidelines, it had sought assistance ranging from ₹11,000 crore to ₹11,500 crore.

Three Central teams had inspected affected areas, he said. Sample surveys and satellite data enabled assessments without visits to every village.

The government had also instructed banks to defer recovery of farmers’ loans and facilitate loan restructuring and refinancing. Parameshwara said these measures were intended to ease financial pressure on farming families struggling with widespread crop failures and help them cope with the continuing drought across Karnataka.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman