Government today ruled out any change in norms till 2015 for providing relief in the cases of drought. It has also rejected demands from various members in the Rajya Sabha for enhancement of compensation for drought.

Replying to a Calling Attention Motion in Rajya Sabha on the drought situation in Karnataka, Minister of State for Agriculture Harish Rawat said, the norms were fixed by the Norms Committee based on the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission. He said, the Finance Commission is an independent organisation and even the Government of India has no interference.

Mr Rawat said, for changing the norms, we will have to wait till 2015. He said, a Central team will visit drought-hit Karnataka again on May 13th to assess the current situation. Mr Rawat said, this will be for the second time in five months that a Central team will visit the state following demands for enhancement of compensation through an all-party memorandum given by the state Chief Minister recently.

Initiating the discussion, M Venkiah Naidu of BJP, said that
the entire state of Karnataka is reeling under severe drought but Centre's behaviour is callous and casual.

Dissatisfied with the reply of the Minister, the BJP members led by Naidu, walked out moments before the house was adjourned for lunch.