Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddiyurappa on Tuesday sought Rs 395 crore assistance under the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) to counter a 40—year low rainfall in the last two months in his meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar here.
“I have requested the Union minister (Pawar) to provide us an additional grant of Rs. 395 crore under the NCCF to provide farm inputs and subsidy to small and marginal farmers, apart from the allocation under the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF),” Mr. Yeddiyurappa said after the meeting.
Karnataka has declared drought in 20 districts and the “lowest rainfall in the months of July and August in the last 40 years” has dented pulses, groundnut, soyabean, sugarcane and coarse cereal crops, Mr. Yeddiyurappa said.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the Centre would rise above the party line and help the BJP—ruling state to mitigate the impact of drought.
“No. According to the Union Minister, he is not bothered which party one belongs to.... Yesterday he had assured us of help. Today also he assured us of help,” Mr. Yeddiyurappa said, replying to a question if he foresees any injustice to be done by the Centre to Karnataka because it is being ruled by the BJP.
He said about 35 lakh hectares has been affected adversely by either the drought or the lack of sowing.
