MLA, farmers protest Centre’s ‘failure to release drought relief’ in Karnataka

Aland MLA B.R. Patil staged a dharna at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Kalaburagi city on November 11, accusing the Central Government of neglecting Karnataka’s farmers and failing to respond to the State’s repeated appeals for drought relief.

Mr Patil said the State was facing one of its worst droughts in recent history, with 226 taluks declared drought-hit following a severe deficit in southwest monsoon rainfall in 2026. Crop loss had been reported across 57.93 lakh hectares, including 53.92 lakh hectares of crops and 4.01 lakh hectares of horticultural crops, pushing lakhs of farming families into financial distress.

He said the government of Karnataka had sought ₹20,585.73 crore in assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Following the revision of relief norms by the Union Government, the State had revised its demand to ₹22,400.58 crore.

Despite repeated representations to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Union Agriculture Minister, the Centre had neither granted an appointment to the State’s representatives nor responded adequately to its appeals, he alleged.

Mr. Patil demanded immediate approval and release of the revised drought relief package. He also sought a loan waiver for distressed farmers, adequate compensation for crop loss, and the use of the FRUITS database (Farmer Registration and Unified Beneficiary Information System) to identify eligible beneficiaries instead of relying on outdated agricultural census data.

The legislator demanded the establishment of fodder banks in every gram panchayat, with adequate funds to ensure the supply of fodder and drinking water for livestock, along with the appointment of nodal officers to monitor relief measures.

Describing the Centre’s response as discriminatory towards Karnataka, he said a national disaster such as drought required coordinated action under the federal system. He urged the BJP-led Union Government to treat the situation as an emergency and extend immediate assistance to protect the livelihood of farmers and revive agricultural activity.

Farmers leaders and activists, including Sharanabasappa Mamshetty, M.B Sajjan, Dharmraj Sahu, Umapati Patil, Kedarlingayya Hiremath, and R. G. Shetgar, and farmers from various taluks were present.