Farmers threaten stir if special session fails to address drought

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KRRS leader Badagalapura Nagendra (third from right) addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Sunday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has threatened to stage massive protest rallies at all district headquarters in the State on September 28 if the special session of the State legislature fails to address the drought crisis.

Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Sunday, KRRS leader Badagalapura Nagendra said the farmers will hold demonstrations outside the offices of the Deputy Commissioners in different districts, while also gherao elected representatives if seen in public.

A three-day special session of the State Legislature is scheduled to begin in Bengaluru from September 21.

While welcoming the convening of a special session to discuss the drought in the State, Mr. Nagendra said the session would be rendered meaningless if it failed to result in the implementation of programmes to address the severe drought situation.

He criticised the Central and State governments for their “complete neglect and inhuman approach” to the drought, which, according to the State government, is the worst the State has faced in 140 years.

Mr. Nagendra said the governments were evading responsibility by citing “outdated norms” for assessing drought. The State government should set aside these “anti-people norms” and use its own resources to provide relief to drought-hit people, he said.

He demanded that agricultural loans of farmers be waived, with the Centre and State sharing the cost in a 50:50 ratio. Banks should be restrained from recovering loans, he said.

The government should accord top priority to agriculture and ensure at least seven hours of power supply to agricultural pump sets, as promised. Efforts should be made to fill up lakes and tanks, he said.

He demanded scientific compensation for crop losses, while asking insurance companies to deposit the full crop-loss compensation into farmers’ bank accounts. Also, priority should be given to ensuring drinking water for people and livestock, without causing hardship to either.

He also demanded that fodder be supplied to livestock and additional ration provided to people. The pending payments to farmers for paddy, maize and ragi procured through procurement centres should be deposited into their bank accounts immediately.

With a view to preventing migration of people in search of jobs, Mr. Nagendra said employment under the rural employment guarantee scheme should be provided close to their places of residence.

He also urged the government to conduct Dasara in a simple manner and cancel the proposed Kambala in Mysuru.