CPI(M) Demands Drought Declaration for Kalaburagi Amid Severe Rainfall Deficit

The Kalaburagi district committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has accused the State government of overlooking clear signs of drought in the region. Party members staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner's office on Saturday, demanding that the entire district be declared drought-hit.

The activists submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner, urging immediate intervention. They highlighted that the district has recorded a 54% rainfall deficit, with June seeing 36% less rain than normal and July witnessing an 84% shortfall. This prolonged dry spell has severely impacted agriculture, with sowing completed on less than 30% of the targeted area.

Protesters pointed to drying tanks, declining soil moisture, and reduced vegetation as evidence of the worsening crisis. They questioned the government's rationale for excluding every taluk in the district from the drought-hit list despite these indicators.

CPI(M) district secretary K. Neela argued that the current drought assessment, based on the Union government's Drought Manual 2016 and State Revenue Department guidelines, fails to account for changing climatic conditions. She called for a revision of these criteria and urged BJP MPs from the State to press the Union government for a more realistic evaluation.

The party also demanded loan waivers for farmers and compensation of ₹25,000 per acre for those who suffered crop losses. Labour leader Bheemshetty Yempalli called for the implementation of the VB-G RAM G scheme to provide 200 days of rural employment, which he said would help check migration. He also sought the immediate commencement of drought-relief works, along with the opening of fodder banks and drinking water centres for livestock.

CPI(M) leaders Sudhama Dhanni, Meghraj Katare, Nagamma, and Shobha were present during the protest.