State seeks Rs 395 crore Central assistance as drought relief

A Central team that was on a two-day visit to Karnataka's drought-affected areas would submit its report to the Union Government in a week recommending quantum of assistance.

The six-member team visited drought-affected areas in Bidar, Gulbarga, Bellary, Koppal, Kolar and Tumkur in past two days.

Joint secretary in the Union Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Jiji Thomson, told reporters the team understood the gravity of the situation and would submit its report to the Centre in a week.

The state has sought Central assistance of Rs 395 crore to tackle drought in parts of the state, Deputy Secretary, Department of Revenue (Drought Management) M S Desai said.
Chief secretary Sudhakar Rao said the team recommended to step up implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in drought-affected areas.