Hubballi farmers protest CM remarks, demanding reliable irrigation, electricity, and drought relief amid worsening agricultural distress.
Hubballi
Members of the farming community in Hubballi staged a protest expressing strong objections to recent remarks attributed to the Chief Minister regarding irrigation practices and reliance on reservoirs. The farmers said they are already struggling due to erratic rainfall and lack of timely water supply for agriculture.
The protesting farmers stated that crop cultivation has become increasingly difficult without adequate rainfall and assured irrigation support. They argued that neither monsoon rains nor reservoir water releases have been consistent, leaving them in a precarious situation.
According to the farmers, they have already invested heavily in seeds and agricultural inputs by borrowing money, and any uncertainty in water supply is worsening their financial burden. They demanded that the government recognize the ground reality faced by cultivators instead of making statements that, according to them, do not reflect the severity of the situation.
The farmers further questioned how agriculture could be sustained if there is no electricity for irrigation, no timely release of water from reservoirs, and insufficient rainfall. They urged authorities to take immediate steps to address irrigation issues and ensure reliable support for farming activities.
They also demanded proper drought assessment and declaration in affected areas to enable compensation and relief measures. The protest highlighted growing distress among the agricultural community in the region due to inconsistent weather conditions and resource shortages.
During the visit, representatives observed the conditions in agricultural fields in Hubballi taluk and interacted with farmers to understand their challenges. Farmers reiterated their demand for long-term solutions to irrigation problems and stronger government intervention to safeguard their livelihoods.
