Bengaluru, November 27, 2025 – In a significant relief measure for farmers affected by the devastating floods that swept across Karnataka earlier this year, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced an additional financial grant of over ₹1,033 crore to support agricultural recovery and provide immediate assistance to affected families. Speaking at a press briefing in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister emphasized the state government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers and the urgent need to restore livelihoods disrupted by the natural calamity. The announcement comes in the wake of widespread crop losses and infrastructural damage caused by torrential rains and flooding across multiple districts in Karnataka.

According to the Chief Minister, the floods have impacted 14.58 lakh hectares of agricultural land, affecting 14.24 lakh farmers across the state. “As per the norms of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), compensation is being provided to the farmers. While earlier assistance had been disbursed under SDRF provisions, today the state government is providing additional funds amounting to ₹1,033.6 crore to further support the affected farmers and communities,” Siddaramaiah said. The announcement underscores the government’s proactive stance in addressing the distress faced by the agricultural sector, which forms the backbone of Karnataka’s economy.

Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who was also present during the briefing, provided further details about the disbursement mechanism. He stated that the additional grant has already been transferred to the bank accounts of the Deputy Commissioners of the districts, who have been designated as disbursement officers. The revenue minister highlighted that the funds would be distributed to the farmers through the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS), ensuring a secure, transparent, and direct transfer to beneficiaries without bureaucratic delays. “The government is committed to providing timely compensation to the farmers and ensuring that they are able to recover from the losses incurred due to floods. The Aadhaar-based system allows us to reach the farmers efficiently and mitigate any potential delays in fund distribution,” Gowda added.

The Chief Minister further elaborated on the state’s engagement with the Union government, noting that Karnataka had formally requested the Centre to release its share of compensation to the affected farmers. Siddaramaiah stated, “We have asked the Centre for ₹1,521.67 crore to support recovery and reconstruction efforts, along with an additional ₹614.9 crore specifically earmarked as compensation for farmers.” He also provided an overview of the total damages caused by the floods, which the state estimates at ₹3,455 crore across infrastructure, property, and agricultural losses. However, he clarified that relief claims need to adhere to the norms of the SDRF, which limits the amount that can be requested from the Centre for immediate relief purposes. “We cannot claim the entire sum of losses incurred, as the SDRF guidelines restrict the disbursable amount. As per norms, Karnataka is eligible for ₹1,521.67 crore under the relief fund. We urge the Centre to release these grants promptly to ensure timely support reaches the farmers,” he said.

The announcement of additional funds aims not only to provide immediate financial relief but also to assist in long-term recovery and resilience building. The floods, which struck various regions in Karnataka earlier this year, caused significant disruption to the agriculture sector, which remains a primary source of livelihood for millions of families in the state. Crops ranging from cereals and pulses to horticultural produce and commercial plantations were severely affected. The Chief Minister emphasized that the government’s approach is to ensure that the farmers are compensated adequately and that the affected areas receive infrastructural support to withstand future natural disasters.

Siddaramaiah highlighted that the state government has consistently prioritized agricultural welfare and disaster preparedness. “The government is in favor of farmers and responds promptly to their sufferings,” he said. He stressed that the additional grant, over and above the earlier SDRF allocations, reflects the state’s commitment to supporting farmers during times of crisis. By providing this relief, the government seeks to alleviate the financial burden on farmers who have been severely impacted by unpredictable weather events and to prevent long-term economic distress in rural areas.

The Chief Minister also addressed concerns regarding the timeline and procedure for the disbursal of funds. He noted that the additional grant has already been allocated to district authorities and that disbursement through AEPS will ensure direct transfer to farmers’ bank accounts, reducing delays and minimizing the risk of intermediaries siphoning off funds. This approach reflects the state government’s emphasis on transparency and accountability in financial management. Moreover, the integration of Aadhaar-based transfers ensures that only eligible farmers receive the compensation, safeguarding against potential misuse or duplication of benefits.

In addition to direct financial assistance, the state government is also focused on coordination with the Centre to secure the remaining funds required for comprehensive recovery and reconstruction. The request of ₹1,521.67 crore for recovery and reconstruction, coupled with ₹614.9 crore for compensation to farmers, represents a substantial portion of the resources needed to restore affected areas and rebuild damaged infrastructure. Siddaramaiah noted that these funds will play a crucial role in reconstructing irrigation facilities, farm roads, and other agricultural infrastructure that was destroyed or damaged during the floods. He added that the state government’s active engagement with the Union government ensures that Karnataka receives its fair share of disaster relief funds in a timely manner.

The Chief Minister also addressed the broader impact of the floods on rural communities. Beyond crop losses, the floods disrupted livelihoods, caused damage to property, and affected the socioeconomic fabric of rural areas. By providing targeted financial support, the state government aims to stabilize household incomes, prevent distress migration, and allow farmers to resume agricultural operations for the next planting season. “Our goal is not only to compensate for losses but also to enable farmers to regain confidence and continue their agricultural activities without prolonged disruption,” Siddaramaiah said.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda reiterated the importance of efficient fund disbursement mechanisms and stressed that district authorities have been instructed to prioritize affected farmers. He highlighted that the AEPS system allows for real-time tracking of fund transfers, ensuring accountability at every stage. Gowda also assured farmers that the government is monitoring the distribution process closely and is prepared to address any grievances promptly. This proactive approach is expected to prevent delays and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their compensation without hurdles.

Siddaramaiah concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare and disaster resilience. He emphasized that timely and adequate compensation is essential to sustaining agricultural productivity and protecting rural livelihoods. “We have acted swiftly to provide additional funds to farmers, and we continue to coordinate with the Centre to secure further compensation and support for recovery efforts. The government remains dedicated to ensuring that farmers can overcome the impact of this year’s floods and rebuild their lives,” he said.

This announcement of over ₹1,033 crore in additional grants is one of the largest state-level relief measures announced in Karnataka in recent years. By combining direct financial compensation with ongoing collaboration with the Centre for additional funds, the state government seeks to provide a comprehensive response to flood-induced agricultural losses. The emphasis on transparency, speed, and accountability in fund disbursement reflects the government’s focus on delivering tangible relief to affected farmers while maintaining public trust in the administration.

In summary, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s announcement represents a major step toward mitigating the impact of natural disasters on the state’s agricultural sector. With 14.24 lakh farmers affected and crop losses across 14.58 lakh hectares, the additional grant of ₹1,033.6 crore, coupled with ongoing requests for Centre funds, aims to ensure that farmers receive both immediate relief and support for long-term recovery. By leveraging technology-enabled fund transfers and closely monitoring disbursement, the state government is setting a benchmark for effective disaster response and farmer-centric policy implementation in India.

The move is also expected to boost confidence among farmers, stabilize rural economies, and demonstrate Karnataka’s commitment to proactive governance in the face of natural disasters. As the state continues to recover from this year’s floods, the additional grant provides a much-needed lifeline for farmers and serves as a model of responsive, accountable, and transparent disaster management.