Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Kharge Seeks Urgent Central Aid for Drought-Hit Karnataka
Mallikarjun Kharge has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help Karnataka during a severe drought.
Kharge said the state had much less rain than usual by September.
He said crops were damaged and many farming families were struggling.
Karnataka has asked for Rs 3,705.30 crore in help.
Kharge wants a Central team to check the damage in Kalyana Karnataka.
He also wants assistance calculated using updated land records so eligible small farmers are not left out.
He asked for help securing drinking water and substitute power.
Kharge said relief should be provided urgently and without political considerations.
Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention in Karnataka’s severe drought.
Kharge said Karnataka had a 58% rainfall deficiency as of September, with widespread crop losses.
The state sought Rs 3,705.30 crore in assistance against estimated losses of Rs 18,748.23 crore.
Kharge called for a Central team to assess drought damage in Kalyana Karnataka and for urgent drought declarations.
His requests also included updated land records for calculating farmer subsidies and support for drinking water and substitute power.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he had also written to Home Minister Amit Shah.
- What
- Kharge sought urgent Central assistance and made six requests concerning drought assessment, compensation, farmer support, drought declarations, drinking water and substitute power.
- When
- The letter was shared on X; the article does not specify its date. Kharge cited a 58% rainfall deficiency as of September.
- Where
- Karnataka, including Kalyana Karnataka.
- Why
- Kharge cited severe drought, widespread crop losses and distress among farming families.
- Assistance sought
- Rs 3,705.30 crore under the NDRF and SDRF framework
- Estimated losses
- Rs 18,748.23 crore
- Rainfall deficiency
- 58% as of September, according to Kharge
- Families affected
- Kharge cited distress among more than 31 lakh farming families
- Additional taluks
- 11 were undergoing ground truthing, according to Kharge
- Letter length
- 11 pages
- Specific requests
- Six