Bengaluru, Sep 17 (IANS) Karnataka has declared 23 more taluks as drought-hit in the second phase of assessment, taking the total number of drought-affected taluks in the state to 124, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Thursday.
Dy CM Parameshwara said the government was continuously assessing the drought situation caused by deficient southwest monsoon rainfall through scientific methods and was taking measures in phases to respond to the difficulties faced by farmers.
In the first phase, the government conducted field inspections in 102 taluks and declared 101 taluks drought-hit, including 89 severely drought-affected and 12 moderately drought-affected taluks.
In the second phase, 23 additional taluks have now been declared drought-hit. Of these, 21 have been classified as severely drought-affected and two as moderately drought-affected.
The severely drought-affected taluks are Tiptur, Karatagi, Manvi, Sindhanur, Sirwar, Afzalpur, Aland, Chittapur, Kalaburagi, Yadrami, Shahabad, Bhalki, Basavanabagewadi, Babaleshwar, Tikota, Rattihalli, Hubballi, Navalgund, Hubballi City, Annigeri and Kadur.
Ponnampet and Virajpet have been classified as moderately drought-affected.
Dy CM Parameshwara said that based on rainfall received between June 1 and September 16, soil moisture, crop conditions and other scientific parameters, 53 taluks in 17 districts have now been selected for the third phase of ground-truthing.
The government is using the ‘Crop Loss GT’ mobile application to ensure that the assessment is accurate and transparent. Geo-tagged photographs, GPS information, details of agricultural land and the extent of crop damage will be recorded at the spot through the application.
Teams of officials will visit agricultural fields in the selected villages on September 19 and 20 to directly assess crop damage. Deputy Commissioners and other officials concerned have been directed to submit the final reports by September 21.
“The actual situation of the difficulties faced by farmers should come to the government’s attention. Our aim is to ensure that no farmer is left out of the documentation of genuine crop loss,” Dy CM Parameshwara said.
He said further action would be based on scientific assessment, a transparent survey and accurate reports.
Monitoring of the drought situation will continue until the end of the southwest monsoon season, and additional taluks will be included in subsequent rounds of ground-truthing if required, he added.
Responding to the difficulties faced by farmers remains the government’s first priority, Dy CM Parameshwara said, adding that the government was committed to extending necessary assistance as per the rules based on the actual extent of crop loss.
–IANS
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