State MPs to meet in Delhi over drought, seek Centre's support: Parameshwara: Karnataka DyCM G Parameshwara
Bengaluru, July 27
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has convened a meeting with the state's Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs in Delhi to discuss the severe drought situation and seek the Centre's support for drought management.
Speaking to the media near his residence in Sadashivanagar, Parameshwara said the meeting is scheduled for 6 pm today and several issues, including proposals related to Karnataka, will be discussed with the state's representatives.
"The drought situation in Karnataka is extremely serious. I have written to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister. The Chief Minister has also written to the Prime Minister, but no response has been received so far," he said.
Parameshwara said the state government has already submitted proposals related to several projects to the Union Government and would request its MPs to take up the matters with the concerned Union ministers.
"At today's meeting, we will discuss these proposals with our State's representatives and request them to take up the matters with the concerned Union Ministers and make efforts to secure the necessary approvals," he said.
He added that he and the Chief Minister had already met Karnataka officials posted in Delhi and would seek their assistance whenever required.
On the possibility of Cabinet expansion, Parameshwara said, "If approval is received, the Cabinet may be expanded."
Asked whether AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge would be requested to raise the drought situation in Parliament, he said, "We will certainly make that request. He may raise the matter in Parliament or speak separately with the Union Home Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister. We will request him to urge the Union Government to extend all necessary assistance to Karnataka."
The Karnataka Cabinet currently has 14 members, including Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, following Shivakumar's appointment as Chief Minister on June 3. The proposed expansion is expected to address demands for greater regional and social representation in the ministry.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate the Deputy CM's transparency about waiting for a response from the PM. But honestly, why does every state always have to beg the Centre for basic disaster relief? Karnataka pays huge taxes to the Union, and we deserve timely help. The Cabinet expansion talk also feels premature when farmers are suffering 😕
Class political game by Congress – using a humanitarian crisis to score points against the Centre. Parameshwara should focus on actual relief measures: immediate water supply, fodder camps, and MNREGA guarantee. Not just writing letters and mooting Cabinet expansion. The people of drought-hit regions need action, not politics.
As someone from Cauvery basin, I know drought management is complex. Good that they're involving Kharge ji – he's a senior leader and should raise this in Parliament. But the real test will be in implementation. We need desilting of tanks, water harvesting, and better crop insurance. Just meeting in Delhi won't solve it. 😒
From a governance perspective, it's worrying that Parameshwara has written to the PM multiple times without response. The delay in Cabinet expansion also suggests internal friction in Karnataka Congress. The party should get its act together before blaming the Centre entirely.
Finally, someone in power taking drought seriously! But 14-member Cabinet is too small for a large state like Karnataka. Hope the expansion brings in young, capable MLAs who understand rural issues. Also, requesting Kharge ji is smart – he has influence in Delhi. Let's see if the
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