Over 200 Karnataka taluks likely to be declared drought-hit: Deputy CM G Parameshwara

More than 200 taluks across Karnataka are likely to be included in the droughtaffected list as the state government assesses the situation in phases Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said on Sunday reported the PTIParameshwara who also holds the Revenue portfolio said the government was assessing taluks based on prescribed criteria and groundlevel verificationAccording to Parameshwara 101 taluks were declared droughtaffected in the first phase followed by another 24 taluks the news agency reportedA further 52 taluks are expected to be declared droughtaffected within the next three to four days he saidIn the subsequent phase groundtruthing will be carried out in around 50 more taluks before a decision is taken based on the assessmentldquoBased on the data available now more than 200 taluks across the state are likely to be included in the droughtaffected listrdquo Parameshwara told reportersAssessment to continue through monsoonThe Deputy Chief Minister said the situation would continue to be reviewed until the end of the monsoon seasonTaluks that have not yet been included such as Jagaluru could also be declared droughtaffected in later phases if they meet the prescribed criterialdquoPeople need not be anxious if their taluk has not yet been included in the listrdquo he saidSpecial session to discuss droughtParameshwara said a threeday Special Session of the Karnataka legislature has been convened to discuss the drought situation and the Kasturirangan report on ecologically sensitive areas in the Western GhatsThe session will discuss the losses caused by the drought assistance to farmers and the relief sought from the Union governmentThe state government will also take the views of the Opposition into consideration he saidKarnataka seeks drought relief and farm loan waiverAccording to the PTI Parameshwara said discussions would also be held on seeking drought relief and a waiver of farmers loans from the CentreThe state government intends to take the Opposition into confidence before presenting Karnatakas demands to the Union government he saidThe Deputy Chief Minister said the 101 taluks declared droughtaffected in the first phase had reported estimated losses of around Rs 18000 croreThe state has sought around Rs 3500 crore from the Union government as relief under its first memorandumMore memoranda to be submittedParameshwara said the government would submit second and third memoranda incorporating losses reported in taluks declared droughtaffected in subsequent phases reported the PTIHe said Karnataka had suffered estimated losses of around Rs 39000 crore last year and had sought Rs 18000 crore in relief from the CentreHowever the state received around Rs 3400 crore he saidParameshwara urges Centre to support farmersIn view of the distress faced by farmers Parameshwara said the Union government should consider measures to support farmers across the country as per the PTIReferring to the farm loan waiver announced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he said the state government would also urge the Centre to consider waiving farmers loans this timeKarnataka raises funding concernsParameshwara also alleged that Karnataka was not receiving its due share and that adequate funds under various schemes were not being released by the Union governmentldquoKarnataka is yet to receive around Rs 17000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Missionrdquo he said alleging that the Centre was adopting a ldquostepmotherly attituderdquo towards the state the news agency reportedHe said the state government would place its demands before the Centre after taking the Opposition into confidencewith PTI inputs