CH NEWS
A delegation of farmer leaders convened at the Vidhana Soudha office on Monday to address Chief Secretary Rajnish Goyal regarding the prevailing drought crisis affecting farmers across the state. Led by Kurubur Shanthakumar, President of the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association, the delegation highlighted the pressing issues of water scarcity, fodder shortage, and delayed payments for sugarcane farmers.
During the meeting, Shanthakumar and others underscored the critical need for immediate action to alleviate the challenges faced by farmers in Belagavi and Bagalkote districts, particularly concerning drinking water scarcity and fodder availability for cattle. The delegation urged the authorities to expedite measures to harness water from the Krishna River and other reservoirs, stressing the urgency of addressing these concerns with the Maharashtra government to safeguard farmers’ interests.
Highlighting the multifaceted impact of the drought, Shanthakumar pointed out the electricity shortages in rural areas, exacerbating the plight of farmers and aggravating fodder scarcity. He raised concerns over the delay in disbursing Rs. 2600 crores of pending payments to sugarcane farmers by state sugar mills, attributing the inaction to officers’ preoccupation with election duties.
Additionally, Shanthakumar shed light on the alleged malpractices by sugar mills, including unjust deductions from sugarcane harvests and delays in compensating farmers for crop insurance claims. The delegation urged the authorities to ensure prompt release of compensation funds and provide interest-free loans to farmers to sustain agricultural activities amidst the drought.
Hatalli Devaraj, Nagarjuna, Bardanpur Nagaraj, Dharmaraj, and Madappa, among others were present.
