Centre refused to relax drought parameters despite appeal: DCM

Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) G Parameshwara said on Wednesday that the Union government had declined to relax the parameters for declaring drought in the state despite a request by the state government in that regard.Addressing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Parameshwara said: “In 2020, the Union government decided the yardsticks to declare drought. We need to follow those yardsticks only. This includes capturing satellite images, extent of rain, the water content in the soil and having dry spell for three continuous seasons and so on. The CM and I wrote to the Union government seeking a relaxation on this, but they haven’t agreed. They haven’t even responded. Thus, we are forced to go by those yardsticks only.”Poor monsoon makes 2026 Karnataka’s 2nd driest year in 50 yearsHighlighting that 101 taluks in the state had already been declared as drought-hit, the deputy chief minister said: “Ground truthing is being done in another 42 taluks. Till yesterday (Tuesday), ground truthing completed in 24 taluks. The procedure will be conducted in another 18 taluks today and tomorrow (Thursday).” Assuring MLAs across party affiliations to not be worried, Parameshwara noted that the state government would provide a memorandum to the Union government.The Cabinet also decided to start an International Arbitration Centre in Karnataka.“A lot of companies have their arbitration in England. So, the government will have to go there in such cases. So, we have decided to have arbitration centres here itself. This will include the chief minister and the chief justice,” Parameshwara noted.“It’s certainly a platform but the modalities have to be worked out. Rs 16 crore has been set aside. Not just for international arbitration, this will also include national arbitration (issues).”

Source: Deccan Herald