80% of crops damaged in Gadag district, says Basavaraj Rayareddi

Gadag district has suffered severe crop damage due to a 32% shortfall in rainfall compared to historical averages, according to Basavaraj Rayareddi, the district's Higher Education and in-charge Minister. Speaking at a press conference, Rayareddi reported that an estimated ₹218 crore worth of crops have been lost, a figure based on a preliminary assessment submitted to the State government in Bengaluru on August 11.

The minister highlighted that the report, prepared by the Deputy Commissioner and agriculture officials, indicated that the drought had led to increased demand for rural employment, with workers potentially eligible for up to 125 days of work under new employment guarantee provisions. Rayareddi emphasized the need for the Centre to provide financial assistance, as the State government alone cannot cope with the drought situation.

He stressed that the Union government should step in to alleviate the financial burden, given that significant tax revenue is transferred from the State to the Centre. Rayareddi called for a meeting with officials to further assess the situation before formally presenting the findings to the Union government.