Bengaluru: Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad, said that the state was facing drought which is very dreadful in the last 40 years.

Prasad who defended the government against the charges that it had failed to provide drinking water, he said that drinking water was given the highest priority in the wake of drought.

“Water is being supplied using tankers to 385 villages in the state. A sum of Rs 214 crore has been released for water and fodder supply. Every DC has a minimum of Rs 2 crore at his or her disposal,” he said.

The state has faced six natural calamities in the past years since the Congress has come to power. The present drought has led to a loss of Rs 15,636 crore. The Centre should have sanctioned its share of Rs 3,860 crore, but parted with only Rs 1,540 towards input subsidy for agricultural activities. The money is being paid directly to 21 lakh farmers, he added.

As many as 62 taluks have been drought-hit which have lead to a loss of Rs 6,733 crore. The state has submitted a memorandum requesting a share, said Prasad.