Bengaluru, Tuesday – Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced that each eligible farmer hit by drought will receive a minimum assistance of Rs 5,000. He clarified that those who got Rs 2,000 or Rs 2,500 in the first instalment will obtain the balance in later payments.
The first instalment, authorised by a state order dated October 23, set the initial amount at Rs 2,500 per farmer. On November 5 the government began distributing Rs 17.43 crore to 1,06,462 farmers in Yadgir district under the drought‑relief scheme. Parameshwara explained that Union‑drafted SDRF/NDRF guidelines prescribe input subsidies of Rs 1,500 for rain‑fed crops, Rs 2,600 for irrigated crops and Rs 3,200 for perennial crops. However, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and the deputy chief minister chose to exceed those norms, guaranteeing a floor of Rs 5,000 regardless of land size.
According to the deputy chief minister, a farmer with half an acre faces the same drought stress as one with several acres, so relief should not be tied to holding size. Farmers who received Rs 2,000 will now get an additional Rs 3,000, while those who got Rs 2,500 will receive another Rs 2,500. Beyond the minimum, eligible farmers may qualify for enhanced subsidies ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 60,000, depending on crop loss and applicable criteria.
Parameshwara urged officials to maintain transparency and speed up pending instalments. He warned against rumours and political exploitation, inviting genuine grievances for review. While the opposition BJP has criticised the Congress‑led administration, the deputy chief minister stressed that farmers need timely aid and confidence that the government stands with them, not partisan accusations.
Image: Wikipedia — G Parameshwara
📰 Source: Sahil Online