Supreme Court Directs Centre to Respond to Karnataka’s Plea for Drought Relief Funds

April 9, 2024

The Supreme Court of India has stressed the importance of cooperation between the central and state governments in addressing the release of funds for drought relief. The court’s remarks came in response to a plea filed by the Karnataka government, urging the Centre to release ₹35,162 crore for drought relief due to the severe calamity faced by the state.

Recent Context

Karnataka is currently grappling with a severe drought situation, causing grave humanitarian distress. The state government has approached the Supreme Court, seeking the release of ₹35,162 crore from the central government for drought relief measures.

Plea Filed by Karnataka Government

In its writ petition, the Karnataka government highlighted the failure of the Union home ministry to take a final decision and release financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). The state emphasized that despite the passage of six months since the filing of a report by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team, no action has been taken by the Centre.

Impact on Agriculture and Livelihoods

The Karnataka government’s plea underscored the importance of agriculture as a primary source of livelihood for a significant portion of the state’s population. The drought situation has caused substantial damage to crops and livestock, resulting in lower yields, reduced income for farmers, and increased food prices. The state argued that the drought has had a major economic impact, affecting jobs, incomes, and the overall economic growth of Karnataka.

Supreme Court’s Observations

During the hearing, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, remarked on the need for cooperation between the Centre and states regarding the release of funds. The court favored amicable resolutions of such disputes instead of resorting to litigation.

Centre’s Response

The Attorney General R Venkatramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, sought time from the court to resolve the matter. They expressed concern over the growing tendency among states to file such petitions, suggesting that direct communication could have solved the problem instead of approaching the court.

Urgency of the Situation

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karnataka, highlighted the urgency of the situation, mentioning the need to decide within a month about the release of funds, which had lapsed in December. The court responded by asking the Attorney General and Solicitor General to take instructions and inform the court, posting the matter for further consideration after two weeks.

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