State Govt. take steps to mitigate the effect of the drought, says the minister
District in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi offers puja to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari during Rajyotsava celebrations in Belagavi on Sunday. | Photo credit: PK BADIGER
The state government is taking steps to mitigate the effects of drought and ensure the welfare of farmers, district minister Satish Jarkiholi said in Belagavi on Sunday.
Only about 10% of the cultivable land in the district is sown in the rabi season due to drought. So far, around 0.40 million hectares have been sown across all crops, which is 10% of the target of around 4.1 million hectares, he said.
For the kharif season, against the total sowing target of 7.52 lakh hectares, 7.50 lakh hectares were sown across the district, representing 99.70% achievement. However, crops suffered due to lack of water.
The state government is doing everything it can. Due to heavy rainfall deficit, 14 taluks in the district have been declared drought-affected. Crop damage was reported in an area of around 5.04 million hectares in the district. A proposal was submitted to the Central Government demanding ₹680.32 crore as compensation for this crop loss. As an interim relief, the state government has released compensation for crop loss due to drought, he said.
“During the kharif season, the agriculture department distributed 32,882 quintals of high quality seeds to 79,637 farmers at a subsidized rate, utilizing a grant of ₹ 8.66 crore. In addition, 2.04 million tonnes of fertilizers were distributed in the district during the kharif and fertilizer seasons, while seed distribution is currently in the kharif and hesrab seasons.”
Addressing the Rajyotsava celebrations at the district stadium, he said that the state government is spending around ₹ 215 crore for the development of the Saundatti Yallamma temple. This includes central grants of ₹100 crore, he said.
The Minister of Public Works said several infrastructure works, including roads and bridges, which started three years ago, are nearing completion.
He recalled the contribution of Kannada activists to the unification of Karnataka. The minister hoisted the national flag and received a ceremonial salute from various contingents during the march. These included Police and Fire and Emergency Services, District Armed Reserve and City Armed Reserve Police, Civil Police (Male and Female), Home Guard, KSRP, Excise Department, NCC Senior Boys and Girls (from various units), Bharat Seva Dal (from SLVK Agasaga High School) and students from Little Scholar Academy, Mahila Vidyalama High School, Sarasthawa Government School (Sharuide High School), Sarasthawa Government School Nagar, Shahapur), Morarji Minority Residential School, Divine Providence High School, DT Desai High School, Bharatesh High School, BG Sheshagiri High School, St. Joseph and Maheshwari School for the Visually Impaired.
MLA Asif (Raju) Sait, Inspector General of Police Sandeep Patil, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam, Zilla Panchayat CEO Rahul Shindhe, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, Deputy Director of Kannada and Culture Vidyavati Bhajantri and others were present.
Published – 02 Nov 2026 18:36 IST