Haveri
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene staged a protest against State and Central Governments. Hundreds of farmers participated in this protest and the rally was taken from Kaginele Road to Haveri Deputy Commissioner’s office premises in Devagiri.
Farmers raised slogans against the State and Central governments. The district was declared drought-affected because 20 per cent of crops did not survive in all eight taluks.
Drought-hit farmers have been facing a financial crisis and following this, they have been harassed via bank notices and private money lenders. Despite this, both governments have not released compensation yet, said farmers, expressing anger.
The protesters also noted that the union government has raised the compensation from Rs 6,500 to Rs 8,500 per hectare. However, the State Government has not yet declared the compensation amount.
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda clarified that drought compensation will be declared during the Belagavi winter session. It should be declared immediately. The state government is delaying the release of drought compensation to the affected farmers. This is an anti-farmer act by the state government, they charged.
Farmers also expressed displeasure regarding State and Central governments, alleging that both are not taking responsibility to tackle the drought situation. The revenue and Haveri district ministers have failed to release relief funds to farmers. At the same time, MPs from Karnataka are keeping mum when it comes to communicating with farmers. Both governments should release compensation immediately because farmers are facing hardships due to drought, they demanded.
