Minister Ajay Dharam Singh said that the Karnataka government would immediately ramp up work allocations under MGNREGA, now VB-G RAM G, across Raichur district to prevent migration of farmers and rural workers. ​Against the usual annual sowing area of 5 to 5.5 lakh hectares, cultivation has been restricted to just 2,73,000 hectares (approximately 50%) so far this year. Of the total sown area, cotton accounts for 1,70,000 hectares, while red gram covers around 70,000 hectares. Shivakumar has formally petitioned the Prime Minister during his visit to Mysuru, seeking enhanced Central financial assistance and comprehensive drought relief allocations for Karnataka. A thorough on-ground evaluation of drought impact across Raichur’s taluks is under way, and would be immediately followed by a high-level review meeting.