Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release Rs 3,705.30 crore in central assistance for drought-hit Karnataka. In a letter, he flagged rainfall shortages, crop losses and growing pressure on farm households.The state has now sought a total of Rs 7,142.64 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund. It first sought Rs 3,705.30 crore for 101 taluks, then added Rs 3,437.34 crore for 76 more taluks.

Estimated losses across 177 taluks stand at Rs 46,324.50 crore.On Saturday, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met the Centre’s Inter-Ministerial Central Team, which is assessing drought and crop losses in the state. The team will do on-the-spot checks in affected areas.Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said 217 taluks have been declared drought-hit. He said total losses could reach Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 crore once assessment of all taluks is complete.The state is also giving Rs 2,500 per farmer as input subsidy while it waits for central aid.

About 45 to 50 lakh farmers are expected to benefit.