Bengaluru, Nov 2026 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Tuesday assured that every eligible drought-affected farmer in the state would receive a minimum financial assistance of Rs 5,000, clarifying that those who received only Rs 2,000 or Rs 2,500 in the first instalment would be paid the remaining amount in subsequent instalments.
Addressing concerns over variations in the first round of drought relief payments, Parameshwara said the amounts credited so far were part of the phased distribution process and did not represent the government's total assistance commitment. Several farmers had complained about receiving less than the expected Rs 2,500, while the opposition BJP had accused the Congress government of failing to honour its promise.
"The government has decided to provide a minimum of Rs 5,000 to every eligible drought-affected farmer, and this commitment will be honoured," Parameshwara said in a statement.
He explained that the state government had issued an order on October 23 authorising the release of Rs 2,500 per eligible farmer as the first instalment of the input subsidy under the drought relief programme.
As part of the initiative, the government began distributing Rs 17.43 crore to 1,06,462 farmers in Yadgir district on November 5. The Deputy Chief Minister said the payments were being made in accordance with the applicable guidelines and the state's decision to provide additional assistance to farmers affected by drought.
Karnataka Government Promises Minimum Rs 5,000 Assistance
Explaining why some farmers received different amounts, Parameshwara said the existing guidelines prescribed by the Union government under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) provided for input subsidies based on the category and extent of agricultural land affected.
Under these norms, the minimum assistance was fixed at Rs 1,500 per hectare for rainfed crops, Rs 2,600 for irrigated crops and Rs 3,200 for perennial crops.
However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Parameshwara had decided to go beyond the prescribed assistance norms and ensure a minimum payment of Rs 5,000 to every eligible drought-affected farmer, irrespective of the size of the landholding.
Emphasising the need for equitable assistance, Parameshwara said farmers with small landholdings faced the same uncertainty and financial distress caused by drought as those cultivating larger areas.
"A farmer cultivating half an acre suffers from the same drought, the same uncertainty and the same financial distress as a farmer cultivating several acres. The size of a farmer's landholding should never determine the compassion of a government," he said.
Pending Drought Relief Instalments to Be Released
Clarifying the payment schedule, the Deputy Chief Minister said farmers who had received Rs 2,000 in the first instalment would be paid the remaining Rs 3,000, while those who had received Rs 2,500 would receive another Rs 2,500 to complete the minimum assistance of Rs 5,000.
He also pointed out that Rs 5,000 was only the minimum relief amount. Depending on the extent of crop loss and the applicable eligibility criteria, farmers could receive enhanced input subsidies ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 60,000.
Parameshwara said he had instructed officials to ensure transparency in the disbursement process and speed up the release of pending instalments. He maintained that government guidelines should facilitate assistance rather than prevent farmers from receiving the support they require.
"Government guidelines must serve the interests of farmers, not become obstacles to delivering relief. Where existing norms are inadequate to address the hardship of farmers, our government will take the necessary decisions to protect their interests," he said.
He appealed to farmers not to be influenced by rumours or misinformation and urged opposition leaders not to politicise the issue. The government, he said, was prepared to examine genuine complaints and review cases where eligible beneficiaries had received less assistance than they were entitled to.
"Our farmers do not need political accusations. They need timely assistance, financial security and the confidence that their government stands beside them," he added.
BJP Accuses Congress Government of Failing Farmers
Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra criticised the Congress government, alleging that it had failed to provide timely and adequate relief to farmers facing drought-related losses.
He accused the administration of creating confusion by crediting different amounts into farmers' bank accounts despite the Chief Minister's assurance of Rs 5,000 in assistance.
"The administration, which should have stood by farmers reeling from drought and offered them solace, is instead playing with their distress without even a shred of humanity. This is condemnable," Vijayendra said.
He recalled that the Chief Minister had promised Rs 5,000 in relief to drought-hit farmers across Karnataka, including those in severely affected Yadgir district, with Rs 2,500 to be released in the first instalment.
However, Vijayendra alleged that payments of Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 to some farmers exposed confusion in the government's decision-making and demonstrated what he described as its anti-farmer attitude.
The BJP leader argued that compensation for farmers who had suffered crop losses and accumulated debt was not charity but a right. He also alleged that the state government had announced inadequate assistance and failed to release even the amount it had promised.
Demanding immediate payment of the full Rs 5,000, Vijayendra urged the Chief Minister to prioritise drought relief and ensure that every affected farmer received the pending amount without further delay.
The issue has brought the state's drought relief disbursement process under political scrutiny, with the government maintaining that the promised minimum assistance will be paid in instalments and the BJP demanding immediate completion of the payments.
