2 hrs ago
Karnataka Expands Drought List to 177 Taluks Amid Political Clash
Karnataka added Gadag to its list of places suffering from drought.
This means 177 taluks in the state are now officially listed as drought-hit.
The government said more areas could be added after checking conditions.
It also said nearly 200 taluks may eventually be declared drought-prone.
Congress MLA H.K. Patil had warned that he might resign if Gadag was not included.
The BJP said this made it look as though politicians had to threaten resignation to receive help for their areas.
The government denied that it added Gadag only because of the warning.
Opposition leaders said the government should focus on helping people facing drought problems.
The Karnataka government added Gadag taluk to the drought-hit list, bringing the state total to 177 taluks.
The government initially declared 101 taluks drought-hit, later added 23, and included another 53 in the latest expansion.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said remaining taluks could be considered based on prevailing conditions, with nearly 200 potentially declared drought-prone.
The BJP alleged that legislators must threaten resignation to get their constituencies included, citing Congress MLA H.K. Patil’s warning.
Opposition leaders urged the government to address difficulties faced by drought-affected residents and criticised the process for political considerations.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Congress MLA H.K. Patil, and BJP opposition leaders including C.T. Ravi and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
- What
- The government expanded Karnataka’s drought-hit list to 177 taluks by adding 53 taluks, including Gadag.
- Where
- Karnataka, including Gadag taluk; the announcement was made in Bengaluru.
- When
- The latest inclusion was announced on Tuesday during proceedings of the Karnataka Legislative Council.
- Why
- The government cited prevailing drought conditions, while the expansion occurred amid political pressure and disagreement over the criteria used to identify drought-hit areas.
Karnataka Government
BJP and Opposition Leaders
Basis for adding taluks
Karnataka Government
The government said taluks should be included based on prevailing conditions and that more areas could still be considered.
BJP and Opposition Leaders
The BJP criticised the process and alleged that politics was influencing which areas were declared drought-hit.
Gadag’s inclusion
Karnataka Government
G. Parameshwara confirmed Gadag was included in the latest list and said the decision could not be made merely because an MLA threatened to resign.
BJP and Opposition Leaders
BJP leaders said the inclusion suggested legislators may need to threaten resignation to get their constituencies added.
Government’s response to drought concerns
Karnataka Government
The government expanded the list from 124 to 177 taluks and indicated that nearly 200 could eventually be included.
BJP and Opposition Leaders
The Opposition said the government should show greater concern for people facing drought and continue to be scrutinised through checks and balances.
Key facts
- Total drought-hit taluks
- 177
- Latest additions
- 53 taluks
- Newly included taluk highlighted
- Gadag
- Initial declaration
- 101 taluks
- Previous subsequent addition
- 23 taluks
- Possible future total
- Nearly 200 taluks may be declared drought-prone
- Key political dispute
- Opposition leaders alleged that political pressure influenced the inclusion process
Quotes
G. Parameshwara
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister
“The truth is not being respected. Officials are distorting facts for their convenience. They have taken decisions in violation of the guidelines and the decisions taken at the meeting chaired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.”
thehansindia.com
“This anti-farmer approach is damaging the image of the government. It is regrettable that 27 of the 73 taluks in the Kittur Karnataka region have not been declared drought-hit.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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