Kharge writes to PM and HM

Centre-State Relations & Disaster Management · 4 October 2026 · Based on The Hindu (original report)

2-minute summary

In October 2026, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, stating that Karnataka is facing its worst drought in 150 years and requires urgent Central intervention. The letter highlights severe agricultural distress, particularly affecting small and marginal farmers as well as the dry Hyderabad-Karnataka region. Mr. Kharge urged the Central government to calculate input subsidies based on Karnataka's updated Bhoomi land records rather than relying on the outdated 2015-16 Agriculture Census to ensure eligible farmers are not excluded. Additionally, the communication stressed the need for enhanced financial support to manage drinking water security and mitigate the high cost of substitute power caused by historically low reservoir levels in the Cauvery and various hydel catchments.

Why it's in the news

Mallikarjun Kharge's urgent appeal to the Prime Minister and Home Minister regarding Karnataka's severe 150-year drought highlights major Centre-State coordination challenges in disaster relief and agricultural distress management.

Facts to remember

• Karnataka is reported to be facing its worst drought in 150 years.
• The outdated baseline referenced for agricultural census data in the discussions is the 2015-16 Agriculture Census.
• Reservoir levels in the Cauvery and hydel catchments are noted to be at historically low levels.
• Specific attention was drawn to the dry Hyderabad-Karnataka belt and small and marginal farmers.

Background and context

Drought management in India is primarily guided by the Manual for Drought Management issued by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. States facing severe natural calamities submit memorandums seeking financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) after utilizing funds under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Centre-State friction often arises over the timing of inter-ministerial central teams (IMCT) visits, assessment methodologies, and the reliance on baseline land records versus real-time agrarian data. Issues such as updating land records (e.g., Karnataka's Bhoomi portal) are critical for direct benefit transfers and accurate input subsidy disbursements, ensuring that vulnerable agrarian populations in rain-fed regions like Hyderabad-Karnataka receive adequate protection against climate shocks.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 246 — Delineates legislative powers between the Union and States, touching upon subjects like agriculture, relief of the disabled and unemployable, and economic and social planning.

Government schemes

• State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) / National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) — Primary financial mechanisms utilized by state and central governments for providing immediate relief to victims of notified disasters including severe droughts.

Mains practice: Examine the challenges in Centre-State coordination during severe agricultural droughts and suggest measures to strengthen disaster relief mechanisms in India.

Introduction

Severe agrarian crises and unprecedented droughts, such as the one reported in Karnataka, bring to the fore the delicate balance of cooperative federalism in India. Timely Central intervention under disaster relief frameworks is vital to safeguard vulnerable farming communities.

Key Dimensions of Centre-State Friction in Drought Relief:

• Financial Dependency: Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, States rely heavily on the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) after exhausting their State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), leading to friction over quantum and timing of funds.

• Data Discrepancies: Disagreements often arise between State-level revenue data (such as Karnataka's Bhoomi land records) and older baseline datasets like the 2015-16 Agriculture Census, resulting in exclusion errors for small and marginal farmers.

• Infrastructure and Power Deficits: Historically low reservoir levels in major basins like the Cauvery complicate irrigation and substitute power provisioning, necessitating synchronized multi-sectoral support.

• Political Polarisation: Relief demands often get embroiled in Centre-State political narratives, undermining the humanitarian and administrative urgency of agricultural distress.

Way Forward

• Real-Time Data Integration: Mandate the use of real-time digital land records and updated socio-economic registries for damage assessments rather than relying on outdated census counts.

• Streamlined Assessment Timelines: Expedite Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) visits and make fund disbursement criteria transparent and time-bound.

• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Scale up micro-irrigation, watershed development, and drought-resistant crop varieties under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to reduce recurring emergency relief dependency.

• Strengthening Cooperative Federalism: Institutionalize structured consultation platforms between Union ministries and State revenue departments during extreme weather events.

Conclusion

Strengthening disaster response requires depoliticizing relief allocation and leveraging digital public infrastructure, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and ensuring robust social protection for agrarian communities.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding agricultural drought management and relief in India: 1. The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) supplements the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for providing relief during severe calamities. 2. Karnataka recently highlighted concerns regarding the use of the 2015-16 Agriculture Census instead of updated Bhoomi land records for input subsidies. 3. Historically low reservoir levels in hydel catchments and the Cauvery basin directly exacerbate the cost of substitute power and drinking water security. How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer: C. All three statements are correct. Statement 1 reflects the standard disaster relief architecture under the Disaster Management Act. Statement 2 reflects specific concerns raised regarding subsidy calculations. Statement 3 accurately captures the infrastructure and power challenges noted during severe dry spells.

Q2. Which of the following ministries has the primary administrative oversight over the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in India?

1. Ministry of Jal Shakti
2. Ministry of Home Affairs
3. Ministry of Rural Development
4. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Answer: B. The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and overall disaster management coordination in the country, whereas specific agricultural damage assessments involve the Ministry of Agriculture.

Q3. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Updating regional land records like the Bhoomi portal is critical for ensuring that small and marginal farmers are not excluded from agricultural input subsidies during droughts. Statement-II: Central disaster relief guidelines strictly prohibit States from utilizing digital land databases for verifying crop damage and beneficiary lists. Which one of the following is correct?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is incorrect

Answer: C. Statement-I is correct because updated land records help identify genuine eligible farmers accurately. Statement-II is incorrect because there is no such prohibition; rather, integration of digital land records is actively encouraged for transparent governance.

Revision flashcards

• Which Union ministry holds administrative control over the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)? Ministry of Home Affairs, which manages disaster response and relief coordination alongside state governments.
• What portal/database is maintained by Karnataka for computerized land records referred to in agricultural governance? Bhoomi land records portal, used for digital management of land ownership and tenancy details.
• What specific agricultural census baseline was noted in October 2026 discussions as being outdated for calculating input subsidies in Karnataka? The 2015-16 Agriculture Census, which critics argue excludes newer land-holding realities.
• Which specific dry geographic belt in Karnataka was prominently emphasized in the October 2026 drought relief representations? The Hyderabad-Karnataka belt, known for recurring arid conditions and rain-fed agrarian vulnerability.
• Why is relying on outdated agricultural census data considered problematic during extreme climate events like droughts? Because it fails to capture subsequent subdivisions of land holdings, changes in tenancy, and current demographics of small and marginal farmers, leading to exclusion errors.