Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at his official residence in New Delhi on Monday and submitted a representation seeking action on various demands regarding the state.
The meeting was part of Shivakumar’s ongoing engagements in the national capital, where he is expected to meet some Union ministers and discuss issues facing Karnataka. Ahead of his Delhi visit, the Chief Minister said talks would include drought relief and other issues that need attention from the Centre.
The meeting with Rajnath Singh comes at a time when the Karnataka government is seeking Central assistance on a number of issues. Shivakumar recently wrote to PM Modi to request financial aid for drought relief measures - for example, farmers' relief, drinking water supply and livestock protection.
Shivakumar's Delhi meetings
This visit will also take the Chief Minister to meet Union ministers and discuss issues concerning Karnataka. He said before leaving Bengaluru he would meet the Centre on drought relief and the Kasturirangan report which it has completed.
Shivakumar is also seeking a meeting with Union government representatives to present Karnataka's position on issues affecting the state.
A recent meeting with Rajnath Singh was an opportunity for the Karnataka government to put forth its demands to the Union Defence Ministry.
Karnataka's drought concerns
Drought relief is still one of the main issues being raised by the Karnataka government in its discussions with the Centre.
In a letter to PM Modi earlier this month, Shivakumar sought financial assistance for immediate drought-relief measures. The memorandum provided a request of ₹3,705.3 crore for immediate relief in 101 drought-declared taluks. The Chief Minister later said the drought situation had worsened, with 177 taluks declared drought-affected.
The state government has expressed concerns over crop loss, water availability, livestock protection and reservoir storage. The Centre's share of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund has also been sought to be released earlier, it said.
Other issues on Karnataka's agenda
Apart from drought relief, the Chief Minister has said that the state intends to raise several other issues with the Union government.
The Kasturirangan report is one of many issues Shivakumar said he would discuss with Union ministers and officials. The state government has previously opposed aspects of the recommendations on the Western Ghats.
The Chief Minister’s Delhi schedule also includes meetings and consultations on other state-related matters.
The Karnataka government has been seeking Central intervention and assistance on projects and issues that require coordination between the state and Union governments.
Rajnath Singh meeting
The meeting with Rajnath Singh is important because the Defence Ministry oversees matters related to defence establishments, land and other areas where state-level issues can sometimes require coordination with the Union government.
The specific demands asked for by the Defence Minister at Monday's meeting were not provided in the information available publicly at the time of reporting.
Details on the representation and the Centre's response are likely to be emerging after the Chief Minister's Delhi visits.
Shivakumar’s meeting with Rajnath Singh is part of a larger effort by the Karnataka government to raise state-specific issues with Union ministers. The outcome of these meetings, including any decisions or assurances from the Centre, will determine the next steps on the demands submitted by the state.
