Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pressed for the state's demands, including on the Fair Recovery Price of sugarcane, the establishment of an AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Raichur, and the release of flood relief funds, among others.
His demand concerning the sugarcane price follows recent farmers' protests in north Karnataka demanding an increase in the cane procurement price. The Chief Minister highlighted several long-standing state demands, including the release of over ₹2,100 crore in flood relief and the clearance of crucial irrigation projects, in his memorandum to Modi.
"The meeting, which comes amid ongoing state concerns over central fiscal devolution and disaster funding, covered five critical areas outlined in the document submitted to the PM," a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said.
In his memorandum to the Prime Minister, Siddaramaiah sought a sustainable solution to the sugarcane pricing crisis. Following recent farmer agitations, the state government informed the PM that it had brokered a temporary solution by mandating an additional payment of ₹100 per tonne of sugarcane, with the state bearing half the cost (₹50).
The memorandum stressed that this is a temporary fix and placed the responsibility for a permanent solution on the Centre. The Chief Minister made three key requests— an immediate revision of the 'frozen' Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugar, currently set at ₹31 per kg, an assured purchase (offtake) of ethanol from Karnataka's distilleries and a central notification empowering states to fix harvesting and transport costs.
The Chief Minister demanded the setting up of an AIIMS in Raichur, describing the region as having 'sub-par' health and education indicators and a high populace of SC/ST and backward classes, thus requiring a high-quality Referral Medical Centre. Siddaramaiah told Modi that the state has already submitted a detailed project report, identified land, and established a government medical college in Raichur to create a basic ecosystem for the national institute.
Siddaramaiah highlighted an alleged financial shortfall in the Centre's share for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). The state claimed that while it has achieved over 86 per cent functional household tap connections, the central government has a cumulative short release of ₹13,004.63 crore up to 2025-26.
The memorandum noted that for 2025-26, no central funds have been released, while Karnataka has already advanced ₹1,500 crore from its own budget to prevent work stoppages. Bills worth ₹1,700 crore are pending, with another ₹2,600 crore in the pipeline, prompting an urgent request for the release of balance funds.
Siddaramaiah also sought the Prime Minister's intervention to break the deadlock on several irrigation and drinking water projects:
Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir: Urged the Centre to direct the Central Water Commission (CWC) for the swift clearance of the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project on the Cauvery.
Told the Prime Minister that the official gazette notification of the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) award has been pending for over a decade.
Sought the release of the central assistance of ₹5,300 crore announced in the 2023-24 Union Budget.
Asked for forest and wildlife clearances from the Environment Ministry for these drinking water projects intended for the Hubballi-Dharwad region.
Siddaramaiah explained the severe natural calamity caused by unprecedented rains and riverine floods this year. He told the PM that the state has submitted two memoranda seeking assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). The floods damaged crops across 14.5 lakh hectares, affecting 19 lakh farmers, and destroyed thousands of houses, roads, and schools.
In this regard, he requested assistance of ₹614.9 crore under 'Rescue and Relief' to cover the shortfall in crop input subsidies and ₹1,521.67 crore under 'Recovery and Reconstruction' for restoring damaged public infrastructure.
"The state government expressed hope for a positive consideration of its demands to address both immediate crises and long-term developmental needs," the statement concluded.
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