Days after a Central team visited drought-hit districts and assessed the crop situation, two ministers from the Siddaramaiah Cabinet will visit New Delhi on Thursday to prevail upon the Centre for early release of grants for drought relief works.

Revenue Minister V. Srinivas Prasad and Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda will meet Union Minister for Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh and seek immediate disbursal of Rs. 1,742 crore aid in view of the State facing crop loss due to drought even during the Rabi season.

Disclosing this in Mysuru on Tuesday, Mr. Prasad told reporters that the 10-member Central team had assessed the crop situation recently. “The drought situation the State is experiencing is the worst in 40 years. I call it unprecedented and farmers are in a state of crisis,” he said.

The loss due to crop failure in the Kharif season too was severe and therefore, the Centre was asked to grant Rs. 1,540 crore for drought relief works, Mr. Prasad said. He said the Centre had released Rs. 1,300 crore, and though the assistance came late the money was used for relief works. “The State effectively used the funds and the deputy commissioners were asked to ensure there was no misuse of funds,” he said.

To a question on waiver of farm loans, Mr. Prasad said, “That is not possible as the loan amount is around Rs. 10,000 crore and the State is not in a position to consider waiver. The Chief Minister has already made his stance clear.”

However, he clarified that there won’t be a severe water crisis in rural areas. “If the sources have dried up, the authorities must supply water through tankers. No matter how much money is spent, people should not go thirsty in the summer,” he said, adding that he had recently instructed deputy commissioners to ensure this.

He also said the State Cabinet reshuffle was the prerogative of the CM and the high command. “I don’t know whether it will happen after the budget session,” he said.

Source - thehindu.com