Karnataka seeks early assistance for drought

The Karnataka government has pressed the central team to provide financial relief "as early as possible" to tackle the drought situation for which it has sought assistance of Rs 779.20 crore. Agriculture minister Byre Gowda and revenue minister V Srinivas Prasad held discussions with central experts' team that visited the state to assess the drought situation.

The state government has declared 35 taluks as drought affected. Prasad said, "the central study team was here...they have visited 35 taluks in ten districts and studied situation due to drought and related conditions after which they have had discussions with chief secretary."