Union Govt sanctions Rs 1782 Cr as drought relief fund for Karnataka against Rs 4702 Cr sought

New Delhi/Bengaluru: In a set back to drought ridden Karnataka state, Union government has decided to release Rs 1782 crore to drought hit Karnataka state as drought relief fund against Rs 4702 crore relief fund sought by the state government last month. In a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Rajanath Singh on Thursday, the centre has decided to release the amount from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Karnataka had asked the union government to immediately sanction Rs 4702 crore fund for drought relief works as the 139 taluks in Karnataka have been facing severe drought condition.

Earlier, state government had sought drought relief of Rs 4,702 crore for the 2016 Rabi season and flood relief of Rs 386 crore with union government. Karnataka had incurred an estimated loss of Rs 25,000 crore last year due to severe drought and according to the rules and regulations the state government can seek relief of Rs 4,702 crore.