The Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved the Karnataka Cloud Seeding Bill, 2024, a private member Bill, for carrying out cloud seeding to mitigate drought.
Congress member Prakash Koliwad moved the Bill during Zero Hour and explained that cloud seeding would increase rainfall by at least 20%. Cloud seeding would have to be done during monsoon for 90 days and it would cost ₹30 crore to the State exchequer. By enhancing rainfall by 20%, Mr. Koliwad said crop damage would be reduced to an extent worth ₹7,000 crore.
The State had declared 223 taluks out of 236 as drought-hit and sought ₹18,177.44 crore from NDRF from the Centre.