Karnataka seeks Rs 20,585 cr NDRF aid as drought loss crosses Rs 62,481 cr
Bengaluru , October 23,2026: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate central assistance of Rs 20,585.73 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), citing estimated losses of Rs 62,481.88 crore due to the severe Kharif drought affecting 57.93 lakh hectares in the state.In a six-page letter dated October 22, Parameshwara stated that Karnataka experienced one of its worst Kharif droughts, with the Southwest Monsoon 2026 recording 551 mm of rainfall against the normal of 852 mm, a deficit of 35 per cent. He noted that this was the second-lowest rainfall recorded since 1956 and the seventh-lowest since 1901.Of the 122 monsoon days, 79 witnessed deficit or large-deficit rainfall, severely affecting standing crops, the letter stated.
Following an assessment under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020, Karnataka has declared 226 taluks drought-affected, including 177 declared earlier and 49 additional taluks.Crop losses have been reported across 53.92 lakh hectares of crops and 4.01 lakh hectares of horticultural crops, with damage ranging from 33 per cent to 100 per cent, with the majority of affected crops suffering damage exceeding 50 per cent.Major affected crops were maize across 11.82 lakh hectares, red gram or tur across 10.12 lakh hectares, cotton across 6.68 lakh hectares, ragi across 5.56 lakh hectares and sugarcane across 4.88 lakh hectares. Other affected crops include green gram across 3.80 lakh hectares, soybean across 2.24 lakh hectares, paddy across 1.65 lakh hectares, mango across 1.26 lakh hectares, coconut across 0.87 lakh hectares, and red chilli and arecanut across 0.42 lakh hectares each.The state’s cumulative drought memorandum seeks Rs 6,128.70 crore towards crop-loss input subsidy and Rs 12,146.99 crore as gratuitous relief for 61.91 lakh small and marginal farmers at Rs 327 per day for 60 days.It has also sought Rs 1,727 crore for drinking water supply and repairs to water supply schemes, including Rs 1,130 crore for rural areas and Rs 597 crore for urban areas.Additionally, Karnataka has requested Rs 583.04 crore for animal husbandry-related measures, including 476 cattle camps, 583 fodder banks, veterinary medicines and fodder support.Highlighting the plight of 61.91 lakh small and marginal farmers, Parameshwara urged the Centre to consider the relief measures urgently to prevent farmers from abandoning agriculture due to the losses.The Deputy Chief Minister also flagged concerns over the continued use of the Agriculture Census 2015-16 for calculating input subsidies, stating that the data does not reflect current landholdings and could result in a shortfall of Rs 1,609.50 crore.He requested the Centre to use Karnataka’s FRUITS database for determining beneficiaries, stating that it is de-duplicated and aligned with Agri Stack.Seeking additional support to protect children and mothers during the period of scarcity, Parameshwara requested Rs 427.20 crore under the PM POSHAN scheme to provide nutrition support to schoolchildren during summer vacation in drought-hit taluks.He also sought Rs 70.96 crore under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0.
Chandigarh : French architect Le Carbusier is being remembered when French President Francois Hollande commences his three-day visit to India this afternoon from Chandigarh. Chandigarh is well known for its unique architecture , well planned landscaping and town planing. Francois Hollande will be joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.
The dignitaries, who will arrive here separately, will visit the three popular tourist attractions of the city–Rock Garden, Capitol Complex and Government Museum and Art Gallery, official sources said.
After paying a visit to the tourist spots, Modi and Hollande will attend the ‘India-France Business Summit’ at a local hotel here, before flying to New Delhi separately in the evening, the sources said here.
According to the sources, the French President will arrive at the Chandigarh Air Force Station in the afternoon today and head to a private hotel.
Hollande will visit ‘Rock Garden’ where he will be received by Modi.
Rock Garden was built by late artist Nek Chand who made articles from waste and unused material.
The next stop of the leaders will be the Capitol Complex, described as the most spectacular work of French architect Le Corbusier. The Complex comprises Legislative Assembly, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Secretariat.
Later in the afternoon, Modi and Hollande are scheduled to visit Government Museum and Art Gallery, where the dignitaries will be shown fossil discovered from the Shivalik Hills by French and Indian archaeologists.
The leaders will also attend a forum of select CEOs to be followed by the India-France Business Summit, the sources added.
A thick security blanket has been thrown in and around the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana that is hosting a President from a foreign country for the first time.
A heavy posse of security personnel from Punjab, Haryana, UT Chandigarh and Central Para Military Forces, including ITBP, has been deployed at all vital installations in the city.
Hollande will be the fifth French leader to be a Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26–the maximum number from any country. French leaders had earlier attended the Republic Day celebrations in the national capital in 1976, 1980, 1998 and 2008.
@Agency news