Bidar, July 13 (UNI) Karnataka BJP President Vijayendra Yediyurappa on Monday demanded that the state government provide Rs 50,000 per acre as compensation to farmers affected by severe drought in North and Kalyana Karnataka, alleging that the Congress government has failed to respond to the worsening agrarian crisis.
Addressing reporters at Bidar, Vijayendra said districts such as Bidar, Kalaburagi and Yadgir have received only about 12 per cent of normal rainfall, leaving more than 30 lakh hectares of farmland uncultivated. He said key crops, including tur, sunflower and cotton, could not be sown due to inadequate rainfall.
Alleging official apathy, Vijayendra described Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's recent visit to Basavakalyan as a "photo shoot" and urged the government to immediately announce financial assistance of at least Rs 50,000 per acre for affected farmers.
The BJP leader also accused the Congress government of neglecting a development project initiated during the previous BJP regime under former chief minister BS Yediyurappa. He claimed that despite substantial funding having been released earlier, the project had remained pending over the past three years and called for the immediate release of the remaining funds.
On reported differences within the BJP's Bidar unit, Vijayendra said the party had convened a core committee meeting to resolve organisational issues and dismissed allegations of any understanding between BJP legislators and the ruling Congress.
He said the BJP would intensify its organisational activities in preparation for the upcoming district panchayat and other local body elections, while formulating a strategy to raise farmers' issues across the state.
UNI BDN