Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release 50 per cent of the state’s ₹3,705.30-crore drought relief request as immediate assistance. The amount sought as interim aid is ₹1,852.65 crore. Shivakumar said the drought has worsened since the state first submitted its request for central support earlier this month. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Shivakumar referred to a September 10 communication seeking ₹3,705.30 crore for urgent relief measures in 101 drought-declared taluks. Since then, the Karnataka government has declared another 76 taluks drought-affected, taking the total to 177. The additional declarations followed an assessment under the parameters of the Manual for Drought Management, 2020. Drought-affected taluks rise to 177 Shivakumar said the number of drought-hit taluks could exceed 200 by the end of the 2026 southwest monsoon season. Losses in the newly declared areas are still being assessed. Once that work is complete, the state plans to submit an additional memorandum seeking assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund. The request for half of the existing memorandum amount is therefore an interim measure based on the earlier assessment of 101 taluks. It does not include a final estimate of damage across all 177 drought-declared taluks. The Centre has been asked to provide funds while the state completes its wider assessment and prepares the next submission. Why the monsoon shortfall matters The Chief Minister said rainfall from June to August is especially important for Karnataka. It supports Kharif crops and helps refill reservoirs, recharge groundwater and maintain supplies of fodder. Reservoir levels also affect hydropower generation, meaning a prolonged rainfall shortfall can place pressure on services well beyond agriculture. For farmers in drought-declared taluks, the immediate concern is the damage already caused during the principal growing season. The state’s appeal seeks to speed up relief while officials document losses in the areas added to the drought list. Any further request to the Centre will depend on that assessment; no amount for the additional memorandum has yet been announced.

Bengaluru, September 23, 2026: A protest over empty treasury benches briefly halted proceedings in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. BJP and JD(S) members objected when the House convened with only two ministers, Krishna Byre Gowda and Santosh Lad, present. The dispute arose just as Speaker G S Patil was preparing to read a congratulatory note for veteran actor Anant Nag, who had received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

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Congress leaders expressed confidence about retaining power in 2028 while highlighting the first 100 days of DK Shivakumar’s government. The Karnataka Congress has expressed confidence that it will retain power in the 2028 Assembly elections as Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s government completed 100 days in office. Home Minister Priyank Kharge described the milestone as “just the beginning” of the government’s broader agenda involving policy refo

Mallikarjun Kharge said he had not received any proposal for changes to the Karnataka Cabinet amid growing political speculation. Kharge says no proposal has reached him Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said that no formal proposal concerning a reshuffle of the Karnataka Cabinet has been placed before him, pushing back against reports that changes in the ministry could be imminent. Kharge addressed the speculation while

Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu: The Mekedatu dam dispute resurfaced after Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar backed the project and DMK questioned Vijay’s response. The long-running Mekedatu dam dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has returned to the political spotlight after the issue was raised at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram. Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar strongly defended the proposed project, while the opposition DMK accused Tamil

BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has rejected BJP and JD(S) demands to remove Minister B. Nagendra from the Cabinet, defending his decision to bring the Ballari Rural MLA back into the ministry. The Opposition has disrupted proceedings in the Karnataka legislature while demanding Nagendra’s resignation over allegations linked to the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation case. Shivakumar Defends Nagendra’s Return To Karnataka Cabinet

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Trial runs of the proposed Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express have begun on the Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road ghat section, a crucial safety test before commercial operations can be considered. Vande Bharat Trial Begins on Sakleshpur Ghat Section The trial programme began on August 11, 2026, on the nearly 55-km Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road stretch of the Mangaluru–Hassan–Bengaluru rout

DK Shivakumar held fresh talks with Congress leaders in Delhi over a minor Karnataka Cabinet reshuffle and portfolio allocation to newly inducted ministers. The discussions also focused on inducting a woman minister and addressing concerns among legislators following the recent Cabinet expansion. DK Shivakumar Meets Congress High Command Over Cabinet Reshuffle Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivaku

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin clashed in the Assembly over the Cauvery dispute and Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam. Vijay rejected demands for another all-party meeting while defending direct talks with Karnataka and insisting Tamil Nadu’s water rights would not be compromised. Vijay Defends Direct Talks With Karnataka Over Cauvery Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay defended his proposal to hold di

Karnataka is finalising a “Government First” policy to help startups supply innovative technologies directly to State departments. The framework aims to remove procurement barriers, give young companies an early public-sector customer and accelerate the use of emerging technology in government services. Karnataka Plans New Route for Startup Procurement The proposed policy would allow departments to procure suitable startup-developed

Karnataka Congress leaders intensified efforts to pacify legislators denied ministerial positions following the induction of 19 new ministers. While one MLA withdrew his resignation, several disappointed legislators were preparing to meet and discuss their next course of action. Karnataka Congress Launches Outreach After Cabinet Expansion The Karnataka Congress intensified efforts to contain internal dissatisfaction after 19 legislato

Karnataka is preparing a dedicated Women’s Health Policy covering menstrual health, menopause and preventive care through outreach, surveys and specialised clinics. Karnataka Women’s Health Policy 2026 Announced The Karnataka government plans to introduce a policy focused exclusively on women’s health. Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader announced the propos

Cauvery Talks Trigger Political and Farmers’ Opposition Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is preparing for bilateral Cauvery talks with Karnataka despite farmers demanding legal action. The proposed meeting comes amid a serious water shortfall, concerns over the Kuruvai crop, and a renewed dispute over the Mekedatu reservoir. CM Vijay Pursues Cauvery Talks Despite Farmers’ Opposition Chennai, Tuesday, July