Bengaluru, Sept. 25 -- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday announced that the State Government will provide an input subsidy of Rs 2,500 each to drought-affected farmers while awaiting assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Replying to the discussion on the drought situation in the Legislative Assembly, Parameshwara said the first phase of the assistance would cost the State exchequer around Rs.1,250 crore and benefit an estimated 45-50 lakh farmers.

"Farmers are in distress today. Therefore, while awaiting NDRF assistance, we have decided to provide an input subsidy of Rs.2,500 to each farmer from the State Government. We will provide Rs.1,250 crore to our farmers in the first phase itself. ...