80% of crops damaged in Gadag district, says Basavaraj Rayareddi

Nearly 80% of crops in Gadag district have been damaged owing to a 32% overall deficit in rainfall compared with the normal, and the preliminary estimate of crop loss is ₹218 crore, said Higher Education and Gadag district in-charge Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi.

Addressing a press conference at the Gadag District Stadium on Saturday, Mr. Rayareddi said that, as per Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s instructions, meetings had been held in all seven taluks covering the district’s four Assembly constituencies to assess the drought situation.

“Except for Nargund, most taluks have experienced a rainfall deficit. Though Nargund received heavy rainfall in June, drought-like conditions have also been reported there,” he said.

On August 11, the Deputy Commissioner and agriculture officials submitted a comprehensive report on crop damage to the State government in Bengaluru. The preliminary assessment put the value of crop losses in the district at ₹218 crore, he said.

He said that drought had increased the demand for employment in rural areas. Under the new employment guarantee provisions, workers could be provided employment for up to 125 days, and labour-intensive works would be taken up shortly, he said, adding that over ₹500 crore was required for each district.

Mr. Rayareddi said a meeting would be held with officials to assess the situation before presenting the facts to the Union government and seeking financial assistance.

“It is difficult for the State government to deal with the drought situation on its own. The Centre should provide the necessary financial assistance. A substantial amount of tax revenue is being transferred from the State to the Centre, and the Union government should come to the State’s assistance during such a crisis,” he said.