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Karnataka Opposition Whip Accuses Congress of Withholding Drought Relief
N Ravikumar, an opposition leader in Karnataka, says farmers are suffering because of a severe drought.
He claims the government declared drought-hit areas but has not paid farmers the promised assistance.
He also says many farmers have lost crops, gone into debt, or died.
Ravikumar says some rural families are leaving their homes to find work, water, and fodder elsewhere.
He compares the current government with earlier BJP governments, which he says gave extra relief money to farmers.
He wants the government to pay farmers and affected families quickly.
He also wants more areas added to the drought list and villages supplied with fodder and water.
He warned that opposition members may disrupt the special legislative session if relief is not released.
N Ravikumar alleged that Karnataka’s drought declaration has not been followed by input-subsidy payments to affected farmers.
He claimed crop losses exceeded 55 lakh hectares, economic losses surpassed ₹20,000 crore, and more than 350 farmers died amid debt.
Ravikumar said about 40 percent of families in parts of North Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka were migrating because of scarce work, water, and fodder.
He contrasted the Congress government’s record with BJP administrations that he said provided additional state drought relief through direct benefit transfers.
He demanded ₹25,000 per acre, ₹10 lakh for families of deceased farmers, expanded drought lists, fodder banks, and drinking-water supplies before the September 21–23 special session.
- Who
- N Ravikumar, Chief Whip of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, accused the Congress government of failing farmers.
- What
- He alleged that drought relief and input subsidies have not been paid and demanded immediate financial assistance and emergency village support.
- Where
- Karnataka, including Kalyana Karnataka, Kittur Karnataka, Old Mysore, North Karnataka, and the named districts of Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Gadag, and Haveri.
- When
- The accusations were made ahead of a special session scheduled for September 21–23; Ravikumar said months had passed since the drought order.
- Why
- Ravikumar said drought, crop losses, debt, migration, farmer deaths, and shortages of water and fodder required immediate government action.
Key facts
- Alleged crop damage
- More than 55 lakh hectares, according to Ravikumar.
- Alleged economic loss
- More than ₹20,000 crore.
- Reported farmer deaths
- More than 350, according to Ravikumar.
- Input subsidy demanded
- ₹25,000 per acre through direct benefit transfer.
- Support for deceased farmers’ families
- ₹10 lakh immediately, according to the demand.
- Special session
- September 21–23.
- Previous BJP relief cited
- Ravikumar said more than ₹2,000 crore reached over 30 lakh farmers through direct benefit transfers.
Quotes
N Ravikumar
Chief Whip of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council
“Dry land that received 6,800 Rupees a hectare under the central rule got another 6,800 Rupees from the BJP state, or 13,600 Rupees in all; irrigated land that had stood at 13,500 Rupees was raised to 25,000 Rupees; more than 2,000 crore Rupees reached more than 30 lakh farmers by DBT.”
thehansindia.com
“Months have passed since a government order named drought-affected taluks, but the Revenue Department has still not credited one Rupee of input subsidy to a distressed farmer’s account.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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