1 hr ago
Karnataka BJP Leader Attacks Government Over Drought, Debt
R Ashoka, a leader of the BJP opposition in Karnataka, said the state government was not handling the drought well.
He said farmers need more financial help and that many people lack drinking water and reliable electricity.
The government has announced Rs 2,500 for each of about 50 lakh drought-hit farmers.
Ashoka said the help should instead include Rs 25,000 per acre.
He also accused the government of creating serious financial problems for the state.
The government has proposed sending an all-party group to the central government to request assistance.
Ashoka said the opposition was not properly included in preparing that request.
He criticized cloud seeding, while the government defended it as a scientific method but acknowledged questions about its timing.
The BJP said it would take these issues to the public and decide whether to join the delegation.
R Ashoka accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of mishandling drought relief, drinking-water shortages and state finances.
Ashoka claimed more than 3,000 farmers had died by suicide since the government took office, while demanding Rs 25,000 per acre in compensation.
Karnataka announced Rs 2,500 for each of about 50 lakh drought-hit farmers, with an estimated total cost of Rs 1,250 crore.
Ashoka alleged that the state’s outstanding debt had reached Rs 8,34,677 crore and called for detailed financial figures to be released.
He questioned the proposed all-party delegation to the Centre, alleging that the opposition was not consulted on the memorandum seeking central assistance.
- Who
- R Ashoka, Karnataka’s Leader of Opposition, and the Congress-led state government headed by Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar.
- What
- Ashoka accused the government of mishandling drought relief, farmer distress, drinking water, debt and other financial issues.
- Where
- Bengaluru and Karnataka.
- When
- Wednesday, according to the report.
- Why
- Ashoka said the government had failed to adequately respond to drought-related distress and had not transparently managed the state’s finances.
BJP Opposition Claims
Karnataka Government Position
Drought compensation
BJP Opposition Claims
R Ashoka said the government’s relief was inadequate and demanded Rs 25,000 per acre, along with measures to prevent migration and ensure water and power supplies.
Karnataka Government Position
The government announced Rs 2,500 for each of about 50 lakh drought-hit farmers, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,250 crore.
Delegation to the Centre
BJP Opposition Claims
Ashoka questioned the proposed all-party delegation, saying the opposition had not been consulted while preparing the memorandum seeking central assistance.
Karnataka Government Position
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar proposed an all-party delegation to the Centre; the report does not provide a detailed government response to Ashoka’s consultation criticism.
Cloud seeding
BJP Opposition Claims
Ashoka criticized the exercise and claimed Rs 28 crore had been spent on it.
Karnataka Government Position
The government defended cloud seeding as a scientific method while acknowledging questions about the timing of the exercise.
Key facts
- Drought-hit farmers
- Around 50 lakh farmers were included in the state’s announced assistance program.
- Announced aid
- The government announced Rs 2,500 per drought-hit farmer.
- Estimated aid cost
- The assistance program was estimated to cost Rs 1,250 crore.
- Opposition demand
- Ashoka demanded Rs 25,000 per acre in drought compensation.
- Claimed outstanding debt
- Ashoka said Karnataka’s outstanding debt was Rs 8,34,677 crore.
- Pending contractor bills
- Ashoka cited the Karnataka Contractors’ Association’s demand for release of Rs 38,000 crore.
- Cloud-seeding expenditure
- Ashoka claimed Rs 28 crore had been spent on the cloud-seeding exercise.
Quotes
R Ashoka
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly and BJP leader
“The Congress government in Karnataka, this joint government of Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, has pushed the people of Karnataka into three major crises.”
deccanchronicle.com
“If you work for the good of the state, we will stand with you for the good of the state.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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