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| Supreme Court Emphasizes Cooperation for Drought Relief Funding |
Recent Development:
- Karnataka is facing a severe drought, prompting the state government to seek ₹35,162 crore from the central government for relief efforts.
Plea by Karnataka Government:
- Karnataka filed a plea citing the delay in the release of funds from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) despite a report submitted by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team six months ago.
Impact on Agriculture and Livelihoods:
- The drought has inflicted significant damage on crops and livestock, leading to reduced yields, farmer incomes, and increased food prices, thereby affecting the state's economy and livelihoods.
Supreme Court's Remarks:
- Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta of the Supreme Court stressed the importance of cooperation between the central and state governments in such matters, advocating for amicable resolutions over litigation.
Centre's Response:
- The central government, represented by Attorney General R Venkatramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, requested time to address the issue, expressing concern over the growing trend of states resorting to legal action instead of direct communication.
Urgency of the Matter:
- Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Karnataka, emphasized the urgency of the situation and urged a decision within a month, noting that the funds had lapsed in December. The court instructed the Attorney General and Solicitor General to provide updates within two weeks.
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