Davanagere, 20 September

More than 200 taluks across the State are “likely” to be included in the drought-affected list as the government assesses them in phases based on prescribed criteria and ground-truthing, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said on Sunday.

He said 101 taluks were declared drought-affected in the first phase, followed by another 24 in Phase 2. An additional 52 taluks are expected to be declared drought-affected in the next three to four days.

In the subsequent phase, ground-truthing will be undertaken in around 50 more taluks before a decision is taken based on the assessment, he added.

Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, said the situation would continue to be reviewed until the end of the monsoon season. Taluks such as Jagaluru, which have not yet been included, could also be declared drought-affected in subsequent phases if they meet the prescribed criteria.

"People need not be anxious if their taluk has not yet been included in the list," he said.

Parameshwara hoped that the problems caused by the drought, including assistance to farmers and the relief needed from the Union government will be discussed in the three-day Special Session of the State legislature that begins on Monday.

An estimated loss of around Rs 18,000 crore has been reported in the 101 taluks declared drought-affected in the first phase, and the State has sought around Rs 3,500 crore from the Union government as relief, Parameshwara said.

The amount was sought as part of the first memorandum. The government will submit second and third memoranda incorporating losses in taluks declared drought-affected in subsequent phases, he said.

Last year, Karnataka suffered estimated losses of around Rs 39,000 crore and sought Rs 18,000 crore in relief from the Centre. However, the State received only about Rs 3,400 crore, he said.

Karnataka is not receiving its due share and funds from the Centre, Parameshwara alleged.

"Karnataka is yet to receive around Rs 17,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission," he said, alleging that the Centre was adopting a "step-motherly attitude" towards the State.