Today(on 6th May), the Supreme Court decided to hold a hearing in July on Karnataka’s plea for NDRF aid for drought management. Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta will preside over the matter.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court announced today(on 6th May), its decision to schedule a hearing in July regarding the Karnataka government’s petition urging the Centre to release financial aid from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for drought management. The matter was brought before a bench comprising justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Karnataka government, disclosed during the hearing that the state intends to submit an affidavit concerning the issue. The bench subsequently adjourned the matter for further deliberation in July.
In a previous hearing, Sibal had apprised the bench that although approximately Rs 3,450 crore had been disbursed, the state had originally requested assistance amounting to Rs 18,000 crore.
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The petition lodged with the court aims to challenge the Centre’s failure to release the requisite financial aid for drought relief in compliance with the NDRF, contending it violates the fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
The plea emphasizes the serious impact of drought in the state, noting that for the upcoming kharif 2023 season, 223 out of 236 taluks have been identified as affected by drought. Among them, 196 taluks are experiencing severe distress, with the remaining 27 classified as moderately affected.
“Collectively, for the kharif 2023 season, crop losses in agriculture and horticulture have been reported in over 48 lakh hectares, resulting in an estimated loss (cost of cultivation) of Rs 35,162 crore.”
– the plea states.
It outlines the substantial assistance sought from the Centre under the NDRF, totaling Rs 18,171.44 crore, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Furthermore, the plea asserts that the Centre’s actions contravene the statutory provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the guidelines outlined in the manual for drought management updated in 2020.
“Despite the report by the IMCT, which surveyed several drought-affected districts from October 4 to 9, 2023, and conducted a thorough assessment of the drought situation in the state, along with the sub-committee of the National Executive Committee established under section 9 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Centre has yet to make a conclusive decision on providing assistance to the state from the NDRF, even after nearly six months since the report’s submission.”
-the plea elaborates.
ALSO READ: “Why a Contest b/w Union & State?”: SC on Karnataka Plea for Drought Relief Funds
