Deputy CM Dr. G. Parameshwara with Karnataka’s Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.
| Photo Credit: File photo
A day after the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) announced their decision not to be part of all-party delegation to the Centre to seek drought relief, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that it proves that the BJP is playing a drama of deceit, and that the State Government would take steps for the welfare of farmers. He announced that an all-party meeting would be convened to discuss the drought and the K. Kasturirangan Committee report.
“Just because the opposition does not join the delegation, the State Government will not ignore the interests of farmers. The State Government will do whatever is needed to protect the interests of farmers. It shows that they (BJP) are not interested in the welfare of farmers,” the Chief Minister told mediapersons in Bengaluru on September 28. “Those who urge us to provide compensation of ₹25,000 or ₹50,000 to farmers should speak to the Union Government and provide us the money. They know that they cannot speak to their leaders. I have already told them to get some (compensation), and I will also give.”
On September 27, the opposition leaders, including Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswmamy and the Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, had said that they would not be part of the all -party delegation proposed by Mr. Shivakumar to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek funds for drought relief in Karnataka.
As many as 177 taluks out of 240 taluks in Karnataka have been declared as drought-affected, and ground truthing exercise to bring more taluk under drought-affected ones is being conducted in 50 more taluks.
Stating that a drought is not any one party’s problem, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said, “Natural disasters are not biased to any one party, nor is it restricted to one party. All parties should share responsibility in public interest. The idea of all-party delegation was to go together to seek higher compensation. It is their government that is in the Centre. If they come, it will be easier to convince the Centre.”
Appealing to the BJP to join the all-party delegation, he said that if the opposition does not want to come, the State Government will bring the State’s interest to the attention of the Union Government.
Hoping that the Centre would not delay releasing the compensation, Mr. Parameshwara said, “Karnataka government will not rescind on its responsibility if the Centre does not respond. The State should not be forced to approach the Supreme Court for compensation like last year.”
Submission of memorandum on drought
Karnataka is expected to submit the final memorandum on the prevailing drought situation in the State to the Centre in the first week of October after the end of the monsoon season on September 30.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said that ground-truthing exercise is currently underway in several taluks after which the final memorandum will be submitted to the Centre, detailing the loss, and necessary compensation required.
He said that the three Inter Ministerial Central Teams arriving in Karnataka on October 3 for drought study will assess the situation based on the first memorandum submitted to the Centre.
Published – September 28, 2026 03:13 pm IST
