Tumakuru (Karnataka), Aug 4 (PTI) Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Tuesday urged the state government to immediately release a Rs 10,000 crore special relief package for farmers, highlighting severe rainfall deficits affecting more than 28 districts.
The BJP leader reiterated his demands for immediate drought relief, declaration of drought-hit areas, government payment of farmers’ crop insurance premiums, and additional funds for drinking water arrangements and assured power supply to farmers.
Speaking to reporters after visiting drought-affected villages in Tumakuru district, Vijayendra said the government must take immediate steps to provide relief to distressed farmers without waiting for assistance from the Centre.
He said the BJP constituted seven study teams to assess the drought situation across Karnataka. The teams are visiting various districts, interacting with farmers, inspecting fields and documenting crop losses, he added.
Demanding that all 10 taluks of Tumakuru district be declared drought-hit, Vijayendra said farmers growing coconut, ragi, fruits and vegetables suffered major losses due to the rainfall deficit.
“In several areas, sowing has not begun due to lack of rain, while in other places crops have failed to germinate,” he said.
Vijayendra said, “Farmers face a serious financial crisis and the state government should fulfil its responsibility by releasing a special relief package of Rs 10,000 crore instead of only seeking assistance from the Centre.” “The process of seeking central assistance can continue, but protecting farmers should be the state’s foremost responsibility,” he said.
He also demanded that the state government bear the entire crop insurance premium payable by farmers, stating that many cultivators cannot afford their share.
The BJP leader requested an allocation of at least Rs 50 lakh for every taluk in Tumakuru district to facilitate payment of crop insurance premiums.
Expressing concern over the drinking water situation in rural areas, Vijayendra said falling water levels in reservoirs, including the Hemavathi, have affected lakes and tanks, creating difficulties for people and livestock.
He sought an additional Rs 2 crore per taluk to stabilise drinking water supply, saying the existing allocation of Rs 1 crore per taluk was inadequate.
Vijayendra also pressed the government to provide at least seven hours of uninterrupted three-phase electricity supply daily to farmers dependent on borewells, particularly those cultivating coconut, arecanut and other plantation crops.
Accusing the Congress government of “neglecting” farmers’ issues, he alleged that political developments and internal disputes in the ruling Congress have taken priority over governance.
“There is a difference between CM Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah, which is affecting governance. Siddaramaiah not attending the cabinet expansion on Monday clearly shows there is an internal difference.” Criticising the recent cabinet expansion, Vijayendra claimed that several districts and backward communities did not receive adequate representation and that political considerations took precedence over balanced development. PTI KSU ROH
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