Bengaluru: With drought ravaging crops and hurting farm incomes across Karnataka, the state govt Thursday announced a ₹2,500 input subsidy for every farmer in drought-hit taluks, while deciding to urge the Centre to declare it as a “national disaster”.In the legislative assembly, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said it was the govt’s responsibility to stand with farmers when crop losses were likely to breach ₹40,000-crore mark. Karnataka has 45–50 lakh farmers, who could benefit from the one-time relief, which is expected to cost the exchequer ₹1,250 crore.As many as 217 of Karnataka’s 240 taluks are facing rainfall deficit. The Rs 2,500 assistance would be subject to NDRF grants.Parameshwara said a delegation from Karnataka would soon meet PM Narendra Modi for drought relief measures. The govt has submitted a memorandum to the Centre seeking financial assistance under existing disaster-relief norms. A central team is expected to visit the state soon.BJP’s R Ashoka dismissed the input subsidy as ‘pittance’, which equals wages of 2-3 days. “A farmer has to spend at least Rs 10,000 for tilling and sowing, and the govt’s relief is next to nothing,” he added.The state govt Thursday ordered on-ground drought assessment in 29 taluks, including Indi and Chadachan. Congress MLA Yashwanthraygoud V Patil Wednesday resigned in protest after his constituency was not on the list of affected taluks. Parameshwara rejected allegations that certain taluks were declared drought-hit under political pressure.The deputy CM said 11 more taluks had been identified for drought study, taking the total number under assessment to 217.Amid allegations that Karnataka was on the brink of a financial crisis, Parameshwara said the finance department’s caution against new projects should not be interpreted as a sign of the state’s bankruptcy. He said the department’s observations were intended to enforce fiscal discipline.Parameshwara pointed to Karnataka’s fiscal indicators to explain the dept’s word of caution. The state’s fiscal deficit for 2026-27 is projected at 2.95% against the 3% ceiling permitted under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management framework. The state’s revenue deficit stands at ₹22,957 crore, while its cumulative liabilities have risen to 24.94% of GSDP, just below the 25% level.
