Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Vijayendra Demands Farm Loan Waiver, Drought Session in Karnataka
B.Y. Vijayendra said many farmers in Karnataka are suffering because of severe drought.
He asked the government to cancel farm loans of up to Rs 5 lakh.
He also wanted lawmakers to hold a special meeting about the farmers’ problems.
Vijayendra said thousands of farmers had died by suicide during the past three years, although these figures were presented as his allegation.
He asked the government to officially declare more than 190 areas drought-hit.
He supported building a new reservoir because silt has reduced the storage capacity of the Tungabhadra reservoir.
He also said farmers in the Raichur region were still waiting for Rs 145 crore for maize they sold.
Vijayendra criticized the Congress government for focusing on its guarantees instead of farmers’ difficulties.
Bharatiya Janata Party state president B.Y. Vijayendra demanded agricultural loan waivers of up to Rs 5 lakh.
He urged the Karnataka government to convene a special legislature session on drought and farmers’ problems.
Vijayendra alleged that 3,655 farmers died by suicide in Karnataka during three years of the Congress government.
He called for more than 190 taluks to be declared drought-hit and backed a new Navali balancing reservoir.
He claimed Rs 145 crore remained unpaid to Raichur-region farmers for procured maize.
- Who
- B.Y. Vijayendra, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Karnataka unit, made the demands.
- What
- He sought farm-loan waivers of up to Rs 5 lakh, a special legislature session on drought, and other measures for farmers.
- When
- The demands were made on Thursday, during the third day of the Ballari Chalo padayatra.
- Where
- He spoke to reporters at Gudadur in Karnataka’s Raichur region.
- Why
- He cited severe drought, farmer distress, unpaid maize-procurement dues, and reduced reservoir capacity.
- Loan waiver requested
- Agricultural loans of up to Rs 5 lakh
- Drought declaration requested
- More than 190 taluks
- Farmer suicides alleged
- 3,655 in Karnataka over three years of the Congress government
- Kalyana Karnataka deaths alleged
- 937, including around 294 in Kalaburagi, more than 160 in Raichur, over 220 in Bidar, and more than 80 in Koppal
- Pending maize payments
- Rs 145 crore in the Raichur region
- Tungabhadra reservoir
- Around 31 TMC of silt was said to have accumulated, affecting storage capacity