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Karnataka CM Finds Widespread Crop Failure During Bagalkot Drought Survey
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar visited farms in Bagalkot to see how drought affected crops.
He said many crops had not grown properly.
Sunflower, chilli, horse gram and pigeon pea were badly damaged.
The district had received about 40% less rain than expected.
The government is studying ways to help farmers who lost crops.
Shivakumar asked the Union government to consider waiving farm loans.
He also said delayed crop-insurance payments and alleged insurance irregularities needed attention.
Officials were told to provide drinking water and fodder to affected communities.
D.K. Shivakumar said crops had failed or developed poorly across four Bagalkot taluks he visited.
Sunflower, chilli, horse gram and pigeon pea crops suffered extensive damage, officials said.
Bagalkot recorded about 40% rainfall deficiency, with drought conditions affecting several areas.
The state government will examine farmer relief, while Shivakumar urged the Union government to consider a loan waiver.
Shivakumar ordered officials to prioritise drinking water, distribute fodder kits and investigate crop-insurance irregularities.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, state officials, MLAs and farmers.
- What
- A drought survey found widespread crop damage, prompting discussions about farmer relief, water supplies, fodder and crop-insurance problems.
- Where
- Four taluks of Bagalkot district in Karnataka, including Shirur village.
- When
- Friday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- The survey was conducted because drought and about 40% rainfall deficiency had affected crops and farmers.
Karnataka Government’s Position
Union Government and BJP’s Expected Role
Farm-loan relief
Karnataka Government’s Position
D.K. Shivakumar said Karnataka would examine what relief it could provide after assessing farmers’ cultivation and operating costs.
Union Government and BJP’s Expected Role
Shivakumar urged the Union government and BJP leaders to pressure the Prime Minister to waive farmers’ loans, citing the waiver announced under the Manmohan Singh-led government.
Crop-insurance problems
Karnataka Government’s Position
Shivakumar said delayed claims and a broader statewide network of alleged insurance irregularities required reports and meetings to resolve the issue.
Union Government and BJP’s Expected Role
The article reports allegations of a Rs 30-crore irregularity in the Fasal Bima Yojana in Bagalkot, but does not provide a response from the Union government or insurers.
Key facts
- District
- Bagalkot, Karnataka
- Rainfall deficiency
- Around 40%
- Affected crops
- Sunflower, chilli, horse gram and pigeon pea
- Water allocation
- Rs 1 crore had been allocated to each Assembly constituency for drinking-water problems.
- Crop insurance
- Previous claims had not yet been released, according to Shivakumar.
- Electoral-roll notices
- Notices had been issued to 12,364 people, while 35,061 notices were pending; 16,391 votes had not been mapped.
- Planned response
- A special Assembly session will discuss farmers’ issues, and officials were told to distribute fodder kits.
Quotes
D.K. Shivakumar
Karnataka Chief Minister
“I have visited four taluks in Bagalkot district, and nowhere have the crops come up properly. There is no sunflower, chilli, horse gram, or pigeon pea. Some farmers have cultivated 20 to 30 acres and say they have crop insurance. I will discuss the situation with officials and MLAs and see what relief can be provided.”
thehansindia.com
“The Centre should come to the assistance of farmers. This is the responsibility of the BJP. Its leaders should put pressure on the Centre and the Prime Minister to waive farmers’ loans. The previous government under Manmohan Singh had done it. They should also do it now.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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