Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara on Wednesday strongly criticised Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka on X for describing the Karnataka government’s request for drought relief from the Centre as begging. Reacting to Ashoka’s remarks, Parameshwara said the language used by the BJP leader was disgraceful. He questioned why seeking drought relief was considered a legitimate demand when Ashoka raised it, but was being portrayed as begging when the state government made the same request.
Parameshwara said India is a Union of States, and the Centre is neither the master nor are states its servants. A democratically elected state government has every right to seek financial assistance from the Centre to support farmers facing hardship. Comparing such a demand to begging, he said, reflects Ashoka’s lack of understanding of the federal system.He said Karnataka’s farmers are not beggars but food providers who contribute to the nation’s prosperity. He questioned the Centre’s approach of accepting Karnataka’s contributions during prosperous times while portraying its demand for assistance during a crisis as begging.
BJP Playing Politics Amid Farmers’ Distress:Parameshwara said Karnataka is facing a severe drought, with agricultural activities coming to a standstill due to water shortages. Rural residents are being forced to migrate in search of daily-wage employment, while cattle are facing acute shortage of fodder and drinking water.He said the state government was working on a war footing to prevent farmer suicides and protect livestock. However, opposition leaders were making irresponsible political statements instead of standing with people during this difficult period.
He questioned whether BJP legislators and MPs had no responsibility towards the people who elected them. He clarified that the state was not seeking money from the BJP party fund but demanding its rightful share of compensation from the taxes paid by Karnataka’s people.
Disaster Relief Is Not Centre’s Charity:Explaining the legal framework, Parameshwara said the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) were established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the recommendations of Finance Commissions.He said these funds were created specifically to support states during natural disasters and questioned how seeking assistance under such statutory provisions could be described as begging.
According to him, the 16th Finance Commission has recommended Rs 2,04,401 crore for state disaster response and mitigation funds and Rs 79,406 crore for the National Disaster Response Fund for 2026-31 period.He added that the Centre contributes 75 per cent and the state government 25 per cent towards SDRF allocation for states like Karnataka. Therefore, disaster assistance is an institutional arrangement and not charity from the Centre.
Rs 1,250 Crore Interim Relief Announced; Rs 22,400 Crore Sought, Parameshwara said the Karnataka government had already announced Rs 1,250 crore as first instalment of interim drought relief without waiting for central assistance. The government has initiated steps to provide Rs 2,500 to every eligible farmer.Additionally, Rs 306 crore has been spent on drinking water arrangements, while Rs 329 crore has been allocated to district administrations for emergency measures and Rs 25 crore for fodder management.He acknowledged that Rs 2,500 assistance would not fully compensate farmers for crop losses, which was why the state was seeking additional assistance from the Centre.
According to the Deputy CM, crops spread across 57.93 lakh hectares in 226 drought-affected taluks have been damaged, resulting in estimated losses of Rs 62,481.88 crore.Based on revised SDRF/NDRF guidelines dated October 26, the input subsidy requirement has increased to Rs 7,943.55 crore, while total cumulative compensation requirement stands at Rs 22,400.58 crore.
Why Was Ashoka Seeking Relief Earlier?:Parameshwara pointed out that on October 7, R. Ashoka himself had met the Central drought assessment team and requested it to recommend higher compensation for Karnataka.He questioned why Ashoka’s demand was considered a fight for farmers’ welfare, while state government’s similar demand was labelled as begging.”The farmers’ distress has not changed. Only the BJP’s political stand has changed,” he remarked.
Recalling 2023-24 drought, Parameshwara said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had personally met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought assistance. The state had also written several letters to Union Home and Agriculture Ministers.However, as timely assistance was not provided, Karnataka had to approach Supreme Court. Against demand of approx Rs 18,174 crore, Centre eventually released Rs 3,454.22 crore following court’s intervention.He said the state government would continue writing to Centre as many times as necessary to protect farmers’ interests.
Farmers’ Welfare Is Foundation of Developed India:Parameshwara called for revising disaster compensation norms in line with rising agricultural costs. He stressed need for scientific water management, climate-resilient farming, effective crop insurance and stronger farmer-data-based compensation through systems like FRUITS.He said dream of developed India cannot be achieved if a single failed monsoon destroys years of farmers’ hard work and pushes families into debt.He urged BJP MPs and MLAs from Karnataka to rise above party politics and support farmers by demanding higher compensation from Centre.
“This is not a conflict between Congress and BJP. Farmers’ welfare is more important than party politics. Our government has chosen to stand with farmers. Karnataka’s BJP leaders must clarify whether they stand with state’s farmers or with their party,” he said.”Our farmers are not beggars. They are food providers of this nation. Even if rains fail, our government will not abandon farmers. We will fight to secure every rupee of assistance that Karnataka rightfully deserves,” he said.
