The Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to highlight the acute drought crisis confronting the state. In a letter dated September 24, he urged the Prime Minister to expedite the release of 50 per cent of the earmarked financial assistance as interim support and to disburse the Central share of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in advance. The Chief Minister emphasised that 177 taluks in the state have been officially marked as drought-affected due to significant deficits in rainfall.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the ongoing drought conditions are expected to worsen in the coming months, severely affecting agriculture, water availability, livestock, and the overall rural economy. He pointed out that this prolonged deficit in rainfall has resulted in extensive challenges for the local populace, especially farmers.

To mitigate the immediate fallout from crop losses and to address other essential needs, such as drinking water supply and livestock protection, the Chief Minister is seeking prompt financial aid. He has stated that this support would facilitate immediate relief measures for the people of Karnataka as the formal assessment process is still pending.

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Session Extended

While addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Shivakumar announced an extension of the special session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly by an additional day. This decision came as a response to the severity of the ongoing drought and the necessity for lawmakers from all political parties to discuss rural distress in detail. The Chief Minister remarked that the extent of the drought has resulted in hardships across more than 200 taluks, and it was imperative for all members to contribute to the discussions.

The Chief Minister mentioned that he intends for every member to share their concerns regarding the drought situation during this extended session, affirming its importance to citizens. He indicated that the Revenue Minister would respond to the issues raised the following evening, along with insights from the Deputy Chief Minister.

Initially, opposition leaders suggested extending the session by four days during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting; however, the government stated that any extension would depend on the legislative circumstances at the time. Ultimately, a consensus was reached among the parties, leading to the formal proposal of a one-day extension, which was accepted by the opposition.

Plans for All-Party Delegation to New Delhi

In conjunction with the legislative discussions, Chief Minister Shivakumar confirmed plans to directly approach central governmental leaders in New Delhi. He announced that he would lead an all-party delegation in this endeavour, underlining the criticality of the situation facing Karnataka. The delegation aims to discuss necessary relief measures and financial support to address the urgent needs arising from the drought.

This initiative reflects the Chief Minister’s proactive approach in seeking resolutions to the challenges posed by the severe weather conditions impacting the state. By uniting various parties in this effort, he aims to present a strong and unified case to the central government to secure the necessary support for Karnataka’s afflicted regions.

The proceedings of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, including this recent extension, illustrate a concerted effort among lawmakers to address critical issues facing their constituents, particularly in light of the severe drought affecting large areas of the state. The outcome of these discussions may have significant implications for farmers and local communities grappling with the repercussions of this crisis.

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