From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jan 10: In response to Karnataka’s demand for release of Rs 2,278.19 crore as compensation towards crop loss owing to drought conditions in the State, the Centre has released Rs 1,540.20 crore for providing input subsidy for agricultural and horticultural famers.
With 27 out of the 30 districts of Karnataka suffering severe drought and crop losses, the Siddaramaiah government had submitted a memorandum to the Centre seeking compensation amounting Rs 2278.19 crore for the crop loss. Standing crops on 30.76 lakh hectares were damaged during 2015 monsoon season due to erratic rainfall.
The Centre has sanctioned Rs 1388.67 crore for providing input subsidy for farmers planted agricultural crops and Rs 136.64 crore for horticultural crops.
A sum of Rs 2.92 crore and Rs 11.97 crore, respectively, was released for animal husbandry and drinking water related works, a government order said.
The amount (in brackets) released for districts: Ballari (Rs 46.50 crore), Koppal (Rs 63.75 crore), Raichur (35.40 crore), Kalaburagi (197.55 crore), Yadagiri (75.35 crore), Bidar (Rs 89.81 crore), Belagavi (Rs 241.50 crore), Bagalkote (Rs 37.61 crore), Vijayapura (Rs 115.49 crore), Gadag (Rs 69.29 crore), Haveri (Rs 26.70 crore), Dharwad (Rs 94.81 crore), Bangaluru Rural (Rs 3.42 crore), Kolar (Rs 48.06 crore), Chikkballapura (Rs 44.46 crroe), Tumakuru (Rs 72.49 crore), Chitradurga (Rs 58.32 crore), Davanagere (Rs 53.37 crore), Chamarajangara (Rs 17.46 crore), Mysuru (Rs 35.70 crore), Mandya (Rs 28.48 crore), Hassan (Rs 50.67 crore), Chikmagalur (Rs 21.11 crore), Shivamogga (Rs 1.67 crore) and Uttara Kannada (Rs 11.10 crore).
The government order has directed the taluk tsahsildars to deposit money in the bank account of farmers through RTGS/NEFT.
Deputy Commissioners of the districts have been instructed to pay compensation only 68 per cent of the crop loss.