Addressing the nine-member Central team of officials entrusted to assess the damage caused due to drought, the Chief Minister said the government will soon submit a revised memorandum to the Centre, seeking assistance under the Calamity Relief Fund.
The Central team of officials headed by National Horticulture Mission Managing Director Bijay Kumar toured the affected places in the last two days in the State.
The team held a meeting with the chief minister at his home office "Krishna" before winding up the tour.
The State government has already declared 99 taluks, covering 23 districts, as drought-hit following failure of monsoon. The overall rainfall recorded this year is the lowest since 1970. Besides, Gowda said his government will seek separate assistance to supply power to farmers in the affected places.
“Groundwater table has depleted considerably. Farmers are, therefore, using excess power to draw water from the borewells. It is an additional burden on the State government. As a result, the State is seeking Rs 1,200 crore under the power sector,” he stated.
The State also needs additional funds to the tune of Rs 823 crore for rural employment generation and implementing supplementary nutrition scheme in the affected placed, the chief minister said.
'Report in a week'
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the team head Bijay Kumar said the team will submit its report to the Centre in a week's time.
The team is satisfied with the relief works undertaken by the State government so far. Due to failure of rainfall in August and September, groundwater table has depleted. Small and marginal farmers are the worst affected.