Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend a special financial package for Bengaluru’s infrastructure development, expedite the proposed AIIMS in Raichur and release pending drought relief funds to the state.
In a letter dated November 4, written in response to PM Modi’s Kannada Rajyotsava greetings, Shivakumar placed a series of demands before the Prime Minister, ranging from urban infrastructure funding and healthcare facilities to sugarcane farmers’ demands and irrigation projects.
One of the key requests is a special financial package for Bengaluru, with the Chief Minister arguing that the city’s contribution to India’s growth deserves greater infrastructure investment. He pointed out that Bengaluru’s
growing population and economic activity have placed enormous pressure on roads, public transport and civic infrastructure.
The letter comes ahead of PM Modi’s proposed visit to Karnataka to inaugurate the Pink Line of Namma Metro on November 13. Welcoming the Prime Minister, Shivakumar sought additional financial assistance from the Centre for Bengaluru’s infrastructure development. He also said the state was in discussions with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for increased financing, housing targets and alternative funding mechanisms for public projects.
AI University In Bengaluru, AIIMS For Raichur
Highlighting Karnataka’s ambitions in technology and education, Shivakumar said the state was working towards establishing what he described as India’s, and probably the world’s, first AI university in Bengaluru.
He sought the Centre’s partnership and co-financing for the ambitious project. He also reiterated Karnataka’s demand for an AIIMS in Raichur to strengthen medical care and education in the Kalyana Karnataka region.
Sugarcane Farmers’ Demands Flagged
The Chief Minister also sought Modi’s personal intervention in resolving issues concerning sugarcane farmers, warning that the crushing season had already been delayed.
Referring to a meeting with sugarcane growers, farmer leaders and representatives of sugar mills in Belagavi on October 26, Shivakumar said farmers were demanding better prices for their produce.
He pointed out that all 81 operating sugar mills were now using digital weighbridges and that mill laboratories were being inspected twice a month. While 99.85% of the cane dues for 2025-26 had been paid, farmers continued to raise concerns over cane prices and the lower base recovery rate for the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP).
The Chief Minister placed four specific demands before the Centre:
– Revise the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar: The price has remained unchanged at Rs 31 per kg since February 2019, despite the FRP increasing from Rs 2,750 to Rs 3,650 per tonne.
– Review the ethanol directive: Reconsider the October 22, 2026, directive after the February 2027 crop estimate and revise ethanol prices for juice and B-heavy molasses.
– Restore FRP base recovery to 9.5%: This would ensure that farmers in regions with lower sugar recovery are not penalised because of soil and climatic conditions.
– Fix separate MSPs for domestic and commercial sugar: This would protect household consumers while ensuring fair prices for bulk buyers.
Karnataka Seeks Urgent Drought Relief
The letter also highlights the severity of the drought situation in Karnataka and seeks the Centre’s intervention in releasing financial assistance.
According to the assessment cited by the Chief Minister, Karnataka received 551 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 30, 2026, against the normal rainfall of 852 mm, registering a deficit of 35%. This was the second-lowest South-West Monsoon rainfall in the state in 70 years, since 1956.
As many as 30 of the state’s 31 districts recorded deficient rainfall, while 209 of the 240 taluks experienced deficit or large-deficit rainfall. The government has declared 226 taluks drought-affected.
The Chief Minister said the state had submitted the necessary documents and a memorandum seeking interim relief for distressed farmers. Karnataka had also released Rs 2,500 per farmer from its own resources as immediate assistance.
He requested the Prime Minister to expedite the release of the assistance sought in the state’s memorandum.
Shivakumar also sought time for an all-party delegation from Karnataka to meet Modi and explain the drought situation and farmers’ concerns.
Mekedatu, Upper Krishna Projects Among Key Demands
Seeking faster clearances for irrigation projects, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of Mekedatu in meeting the drinking water requirements of southern Karnataka.
He said the project would help store surplus water and meet drinking water needs while ensuring that Tamil Nadu receives its rightful share of water.
He also sought expedited approvals for the Kalasa-Banduri, Upper Bhadra, Upper Krishna and Yettinahole projects, stating that these were critical to the drinking water and irrigation needs of northern Karnataka.
The state has also sought the Prime Minister’s intervention in securing pending approvals and funds under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP).
Centre’s Support Sought For Rural Drinking Water
Flagging the drinking water crisis, Shivakumar said Karnataka had 101.10 lakh rural households, of which 24.51 lakh had tap connections at the beginning of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
As of September 2026, the state had achieved 90.61 lakh functional household tap connections, covering 89.52% of rural households.
However, with Karnataka being the second-most arid state in the country, rising water demand, climate change and declining groundwater levels posed significant challenges.
The state has planned 160 new multi-village schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission and has sought the release of pending funds on a fast-track basis, along with higher allocations for rural development and drinking water projects.
Shivakumar also flagged the need to address Bengaluru’s traffic congestion, stating that the state was in discussions with the Defence Ministry for the allotment of suitable parcels of defence land at appropriate prices.
Concluding his letter, the Chief Minister said Karnataka was not seeking special privileges but its rightful share, fair treatment and support from the Centre.
“Behind every request is a farmer waiting for relief, a family waiting for drinking water, a citizen hoping for a better city and a generation wishing for prosperity,” he wrote, urging the Prime Minister to intervene in addressing the state’s concerns.
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