Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar conducted an extensive drought assessment tour across Bagalkote district on Friday, September 4, 2026, evaluating crop damage caused by severe rainfall deficits. The Chief Minister personally inspected withered crops in Shirur village and interacted with affected farmers to understand the extent of agrarian distress. He subsequently chaired a high-level district drought review meeting with Zilla Panchayat officials and agricultural scientists in Bagalkote, where official data revealed a 40 percent rainfall deficit across the region. During the meeting, Shivakumar warned officials against presenting inaccurate figures to the upcoming central drought assessment team and ordered a thorough investigation into an alleged ₹30-crore Fasal Bima crop insurance scam in the district. Following the review, the Chief Minister visited the historic pilgrimage center of Kudal Sangam at the confluence of the Krishna and Malaprabha rivers, where he performed a special puja. Speaking to reporters at Kudal Sangam, Shivakumar challenged opposition BJP and JD(S) leaders to join an all-party delegation to New Delhi to urge the Union Government for a comprehensive farm loan waiver. He emphasized that crop compensation alone is insufficient for distressed farmers. For the residents and agricultural community of Bagalkote, the visit highlights state-level intervention while bringing urgent administrative scrutiny to local crop loss and insurance distribution.
