Bengaluru, Jul 16 (PTI): Highlighting a drought-like situation in Karnataka triggered by the Super El Nino phenomenon, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said the state has recorded massive rainfall deficits over the last two months, causing damage to newly sown crops.
Also, the state’s Revenue Minister, he said, has written to the Centre, seeking immediate release of NDRF funds, and urged it to declare the prevailing drought as a “calamity of national significance”, or extend assistance commensurate with such a situation, under the appropriate constitutional and statutory provisions.
“The Super El Niño weather phenomenon has had a significant impact on India. Karnataka recorded a rainfall deficit of 42 per cent in June and 34 per cent in July. Farmers undertook sowing after receiving scattered rainfall, but their crops are now suffering damage,” Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, of the state’s 245 taluks, only 15 have received above-normal rainfall. As many as 157 taluks have recorded deficient rainfall, while 14 taluks are facing severe rainfall deficiency.
“I have reviewed the situation in several districts across the State. Two review meetings were held in the Belagavi division, one in the Kalaburagi division and another in Chitradurga. A further review meeting will be conducted with the Chief Minister. Other ministers are also continuously reviewing the rainfall and crop situation, as well as essential requirements such as drinking water for people and livestock,” he said.
Noting that the state government is taking all necessary measures to manage the drought situation, the Deputy CM said the government has already released Rs 5 crore to each district to meet drinking water requirements. The district administrations have been instructed to utilise this amount exclusively for drinking water purposes.
“In addition, Rs 329.61 crore is available in the PD accounts of the Deputy Commissioners. Meetings of the task forces and District Disaster Management Authorities are being held regularly at the taluk and district levels,” he said.
According to the minister, between June 1 and July 15, the state recorded 37 per cent less rainfall than normal. The rainfall deficit has worsened further in July.
“Bengaluru has not received any rainfall during the past 15 days. In July, 10 districts recorded rainfall deficits ranging from 30 per cent to 60 per cent, while 13 districts recorded deficits ranging from 60 per cent to 97 per cent. Only eight districts received normal rainfall.”
The state has 84.10 lakh hectares of cultivable land, of which sowing has been completed across 40.68 lakh hectares, he said. “However, even the crops that have been sown are drying up. In some areas, the seeds sown by farmers have failed to germinate.”
The minister stressed that relief must be provided for crop losses and drinking water shortage should be addressed. Migration must be prevented and employment opportunities must be provided to those affected.
“In my capacity as the State’s Revenue Minister, I have written to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister,” he said.
Pointing out that water resources across the state are drying up, Parameshwara said despite the prevailing drought conditions, certain provisions in the union government’s guidelines are preventing the state from immediately declaring drought.
“I have written to the Prime Minister requesting that the existing guidelines be relaxed. Today, I have also written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, urging the Centre to release NDRF funds immediately,” he said.
In his letter to the PM, the Deputy CM has urged the union government to relax and modernise the existing NDRF norms by accepting Karnataka’s updated FRUITS (Farmer Registration and Unified Beneficiary Information System) database, ensuring uniform crop-loss criteria, recognising erratic rainfall and shorter dry spells, and enabling States to declare drought at an early stage.
Considering the gravity of the situation, he has also requested enhanced central assistance and that the prevailing drought be treated as a calamity of national significance.
