K'taka seeks early release of drought relief for rabi crops

Karnataka Agriculture Minister Byre Gowda today met Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh requesting him to expedite release of drought relief funds to the state for damaged rabi crops in 2016-17.
In February, the Karnataka government had submitted a memorandum to the Agriculture Ministry seeking a drought relief of Rs 3,310 crore for the loss of rabi crops.
"The central expert team has visited drought-hit places in the state and submitted a report. We have requested the Union Agriculture Minister to place it before the High-level Committee (HLC) headed by the Home Minister," Gowda told reporters after the meeting.
The Union agriculture minister has assured that a proposal in this regard will be moved before the HLC in the next 10-15 days, he added.

The state has declared 160 taluks as drought-hit this rabi season due to 70 per cent shortage in rains. Area sown to rabi crops was down at 25.98 lakh hectare as against the target of 32.25 lakh hectare this year.
The state has estimated rabi crop loss at Rs 7,097 crore. This is the second straight year that both kharif and rabi crops have been badly affected due to drought.
The Centre had approved Rs 1,782 crore drought relief package to the state for loss of kharif 2016 crops.