Govt doubles drought relief to Rs 5,000 per farmer

Bengaluru: In a Diwali bonanza for farmers struggling with drought, the Karnataka government has doubled the interim compensation from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 per farmer. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced the additional assistance of Rs 2,500, taking the total drought relief to Rs 5,000 for each eligible farmer. He launched the disbursement of the first instalment by transferring funds directly into the bank accounts of farmers in Yadgir district at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday. The government has decided to release the assistance in two instalments of Rs 2,500 each through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Speaking to reporters after launching the programme, Shivakumar said the government was releasing Rs 1,250 crore as the first instalment, as promised. The amount would be credited directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. “We are providing Rs 2,500 as the first instalment of drought relief. After Diwali, another Rs 2,500 will be transferred, taking the total assistance to Rs 5,000 per farmer,” he said.

The government has fixed the assistance at Rs 2,500 per acre, subject to a maximum of Rs 5,000 per farmer. Consequently, farmers owning more than two acres will also receive only Rs 5,000 in total. The landholding size will not increase the maximum compensation payable to an individual farmer. Those owning up to two acres will receive assistance according to the prescribed calculation, while farmers with larger holdings will remain eligible for the maximum amount of Rs 5,000.

The announcement comes as a relief to drought-hit farmers ahead of the festive season, with the government seeking to provide financial support to those affected by crop losses.