K'taka crop loss at Rs 35K cr, says Siddu

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the state incurred a crop loss of Rs 35,000 crore in 48 lakh hectares due to the drought and asserted that relief from the government will not be sufficient if nature does not support it.

Extending new year greetings to senior government secretaries who met him today, the chief minister hoped that 2024 would be a promising year for the state.

"We are facing this situation due to climate change. Good rains are expected during the monsoon in 2024. I pray to God for a good monsoon," he said after exchanging greetings with the government secretaries.

Siddaramaiah stressed that the severity of drought was less due to the state government's poll guarantees.

More than 60 per cent of people are dependent on agriculture. ''Poor families have gained purchasing power," he said.