Shivakumar Urges Centre to Release 50 Pc of Drought Relief

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release of 50 per cent of the state's drought relief memorandum amount as interim financial assistance, citing the worsening situation across the state. 

In a letter to Modi, he recalled his September 10 communication seeking Rs 3,705.30 crore in assistance for immediate drought relief measures in 101 drought-declared



taluks.

He said the drought situation had further aggravated and, based on a scientific assessment under the parameters prescribed in the Manual for Drought Management, 2020, the state government had declared an additional 76 taluks drought-affected. 

"This brings the total number of drought-affected taluks to 177," he said, adding that the number could cross 200 by the end of the 2026 southwest monsoon season.