An all-party delegation headed by the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, today met the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, seeking an immediate interim relief of Rs 1,500 crore to deal with drought in 24 districts of the state.
The Finance Minister has assured the delegation that he would consider the demand after an Agriculture Ministry team, which will visit the state this week, submit its report, Mr Gowda said after the meeting.
Earlier in the day, the delegation had met the Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, who immediately ordered an official delegation to visit the state to take assessment of the drought.
The Chief Minister said the drought has hit 123 talukas in 24 districts of the state, causing crop loss worth Rs 5,864 crore.
“Our demand is that the Centre should bear half of the expenses. An interim relief of Rs 1,500 crore should be released immediately,” Mr Gowda told reporters outside Parliament House.