Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and requested early release of a drought relief of Rs 18,177.44 crore from the Centre, and said the farmers of the State are in deep distress

The Congress government in the state has been critical of the Modi government alleging delay in releasing drought relief to the state, despite its repeated requests, and even after the central team of officials visiting and conducting inspections in various affected regions.

"It is learnt that the sub-committee of the National Executive Committee, chaired by the Union Agriculture Secretary, met on November 13 and considered Karnataka's memorandums and the report of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT). The sub-committee, it is also learnt, has submitted its report to the Ministry of Home, which is expected to place the same before the High-Level Committee chaired by the Union Home Minister," Siddaramaiah said in a memorandum to the PM.

"It is nearly 3 months since we submitted our first memorandum and two months since the IMCT made its field visits. The farmers of Karnataka are in deep distress. Since crops have failed, it is necessary that we pay the input subsidy to the farmers soon so as to alleviate their hardship and suffering," he said.

Listing out memorandums submitted to the central government seeking relief and the Government of India deputing the IMCT, which visited the state during October 4-9, the CM said in his memorandum to PM said, "....total claim of Karnataka to Rs 18,177.44 crore."

The Rs 18,177.44 crore drought relief sought from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) include Rs 4,663.12 crore input subsidy, Rs 12,577.86 crore gratuitous relief, Rs 566.78 crore for drinking water purposes, Rs 363.68 crore for animal husbandry interventions.

Further noting that under MGNREGA, for the taluks where drought has been declared, the number of days of employment should be increased from 100 days per job card to 150 days, Siddaramaiah said a request for this has been made and the matter is pending in Ministry of Rural Development for a long time. "Kindly expedite a decision on this very important matter."

According to the state government, around 48.19 lakh hectares of agriculture and horticulture crops have suffered crop losses ranging from 33 to 100 per cent, with the majority of area reporting loss of more than 80 per cent.