Karnataka to appeal Union Govt to raise amount of drought relief fund sanctioned 

Mangaluru: The state government will appeal the union government to review its decision to sanction Rs 1782 crore as drought relief fund for drought ridden Karnataka state, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah speaking to the reporters on Thursday. 

As many as 35 lakh farmers have been severely hit by the prevailing drought condition in the state. Crop damage due to water shortage is estimated at Rs 17, 000 crore and state government is eligible to obtain Rs 4702 crore for drought relief works in Karnataka under National Disaster Response Fund (NDFR). Therefore, the state government will ask the centre to release requested amount for drought relief works, chief minister said.