Call for Kalaburagi bandh seeking drought relief for farmers

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Samyukta Horata Karnataka Samiti activists Sharanabasappa Mamshetty and Maula Mulla addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Sunday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

The Samyukta Horata Karnataka Samiti has called for Kalaburagi bandh on Thursday demanding that the State government declare the district drought-hit and take immediate measures to address distress among farmers.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, samiti convenor Sharanabasappa Mamshetty said that inadequate monsoon rainfall has severely affected agricultural activity across the district.

Crops, including red gram, green gram, black gram, soybean, sesame, cotton and sugarcane, have suffered, causing heavy losses to farmers, he said.

Mr. Mamshetty demanded that the State government provide drought relief of ₹50,000 per acre and immediate settlement of pending crop insurance claims and a waiver of loans of farmers.

Samiti member Moula Mulla sought the release of 15 tmcft of the State’s share of water from the Ujani Reservoir in Maharashtra citing depleted groundwater levels and drying borewells and wells in the parts of Kalyana Karnataka region.

The samiti also demanded that the State government open cattle shelters in areas facing fodder shortages and provide farmers with free seeds and fertilisers for the rabi season.

It also demanded legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) based on the C2+50% formula recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.

Raising concerns over contaminated drinking water being supplied to Kalaburagi city, the samiti members sought an inquiry into L&T’s role and strict action against those responsible for it.

They expressed that the farmers have received inadequate crop insurance and drought assistance and warned that the agitation will be intensified if the State government fails to respond immediately.

Representatives of various farmer organisations, Kannada groups, Dalit outfits and other social organisations have extended their support to the Kalaburagi bandh, the samiti members said.

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