Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the State Government would declare a drought (in affected areas) after assessing the conditions prevailing across Karnataka in accordance with the legal framework governing such declarations.

Speaking to reporters at the Aiwan-e-Shahi Guest House in Kalaburagi on July 7 during a visit to review the rain-deficit situation in Kalyana Karnataka, Mr. Shivakumar said the government would be undertaking a comprehensive assessment before taking a final decision.

“There is a legal framework for declaring areas as drought-hit. We will examine the situation in all parts of the State, and take an appropriate decision thereafter,” he said.

The Chief Minister said his visit to Kalyana Karnataka was aimed at obtaining first-hand assessment of the drought-like conditions. He said he had interacted with public representatives and local residents, and was holding review meetings with officials to understand the ground situation.

“I have come to Kalyana Karnataka to study the drought situation. I have met the people and public representatives here. I am reviewing the prevailing conditions. After two or three days, I will undertake a similar visit to Belagavi,” he said.

Earlier, Mr. Shivakumar received petitions from people. Several farmers submitted representations along with dried sugarcane stalks, urging the government to declare the region drought-hit in view of the prolonged dry spell.

Responding to their appeal, the Chief Minister said he had come to the region precisely to witness the situation first-hand. “I have come here to see these conditions with my own eyes. I understand the hardships you are facing,” he told the farmers.

On the demand for waiver of farm loans, citing similar measures announced in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, Mr. Shivakumar said the government would first examine the nature and extent of the loans before taking any decision.

The Chief Minister also said the government had recently created a separate Praja Seva (public grievances) Department, and appointed a Minister to receive and scrutinise public grievances so that justice could be provided to people to the extent possible.