The BJP is protesting the exclusion of Kalaburagi from the drought-hit list

Former MP Umesh Jadhav and former MLA Rajkumar Patil Telkur at a press conference in Kalaburagi town on Tuesday.

Criticizing the state government for keeping Kalaburagi out of the list of drought-affected areas despite heavy rainfall deficit, the BJP will stage a protest in the city on Wednesday and has given the state government an eight-day deadline to declare the district drought-hit, failing which it has threatened a ‘Kalaburagi bandh’.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, former MLA Rajkumar Patil Telkur and former MP Umesh Jadhav alleged that the officials did not conduct a proper ground assessment while visiting the taluks and instead prepared a faulty report from their offices.

Mr. Telkur blamed three ministers from Kalaburagi district for failing to ensure its inclusion in the drought-affected list. He claimed that ministers were more concerned about securing a place in the first round of the proposed cabinet expansion than addressing farmers’ plight.

He questioned the basis for calculating the total rainfall deficit of the district at just 20% by including the rainfall received between January and May, despite significant deficits between June and August.

According to agriculture ministry data, the district received 352.4 mm of rainfall between January 1 and August 24 against the normal of 438.2 mm. The deficit was 36% in June, 35% in July and 52% in August. “Despite these numbers, why has the district not been declared drought-affected?” asked Mr. Telkur.

Citing NDRF norms, he said action should be taken to declare drought when the rainfall deficiency exceeds 30%.

Mr. Telkur also disputed the Agriculture Ministry’s claim that 86% of the target area had been sown. While official figures put red gram sowing at 85% of the target, he claimed that farmers actually sowed the crop in less than 50% of the target area, with nearly 40% of the crop requiring re-sowing two or three times.

Similarly against the official figures of 64% for black gram and 74% for green gram claimed that the actual coverage is less than 20% of the respective targets.

Out of 1,21,616 tonnes of fertilizers supplied to the district, 76,242 tonnes were distributed and 45,374 tonnes remained in stock. Mr. Telkur alleged that some Congress workers were diverting fertilizers to the black market despite sufficient stock and demanded action against those involved.

The BJP will take out a march from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Wednesday.

Mr. Jadhav alleged that the authorities had not verified the functioning of the rain gauge centres. Demanding compensation of ₹50,000 per acre and farm loan waiver, former MLA Dattatreya Patil Revoor said the government should also address drinking water shortage in the city.

Published – 01 Sep 2026 22:49 IST