101 taluks declared drought-affected; report to be submitted to Centre soon: Dy CM Parameshwara
Bengaluru: After reviewing the drought situation in the State, 101 taluks have been declared drought-affected. A drought report will be prepared and submitted to the Union Government shortly, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Friday.
Speaking to the media near his residence on Friday, he said the situation will be reviewed again after 15 days, following which more taluks may qualify and be declared drought-affected. “In the meantime, we will prepare and submit a memorandum to the Centre. Central teams will then visit the State and conduct an assessment, after which drought relief will be released,” he said.
Asked whether farmers’ loans would be waived, Parameshwara said, “If the Union Government announces a loan waiver, the issue can be addressed comprehensively. Parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are also facing drought. Just as former prime minister late Manmohan Singh had waived around Rs 72,000 crore in farm loans, a similar decision by the Centre now would benefit farmers across the country. I will urge the Union Government to consider this.”
Responding to a question on Minister for Planning and Statistics B. Nagendra’s resignation, he said, “We have said there is no need for Nagendra to resign. His name does not figure in the charge sheet filed in connection with the tribal welfare case. We had told the Opposition to raise their questions in the House and that we were ready to answer whatever information they had. Instead, they are unnecessarily demanding his resignation. I do not know what the Chief Minister discussed with our party leadership. I will know more after speaking to the Chief Minister.”
Asked about Kannadigas stranded in Nepal, he said, “According to the latest information I have received, 12 Kannadigas are currently affected. There is information that more people from Karnataka may also be stranded due to the floods. Officials will be sent to Kathmandu to gather details, and immediate action will be taken.”