Vinod M Jain
*Comprehensive Drought Report to Be Submitted to the Centre.
*Insurance Companies Directed to Release Compensation to Farmers Without Delay.
*Dr.G.Parameshwara Speaks to the Media During Visit to Drought-Affected Areas.
Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Dr.G. Parameshwara said that the State is facing a severe drought situation due to inadequate rainfall across several regions and assured that the government will stand firmly by farmers and the public during this difficult period.
Speaking to the media while visiting drought-affected areas in Sira taluk of Tumakuru district today,Dr. Parameshwara said that crops have been severely affected as the State has not received adequate rainfall.
Except for some rainfall in the coastal and Malnad regions, there are hardly any signs of sufficient rain elsewhere, and the entire State is facing a serious drought situation, he said.
He said that drought conditions are prevailing across 10 taluks of Tumakuru district and farmers are in deep distress. In some places, even drinking water has become a serious concern.
“At a time like this, the government must stand by the people.We have already initiated several measures in this direction. ₹5 crore has been provided to every district for drinking water arrangements, and ₹1 crore has been allocated to each Assembly constituency.
The Chief Minister and I have discussed the situation in the Cabinet and are taking steps to provide relief and assistance wherever problems arise,” he said.
The Chief Minister has assigned Ministers the responsibility of reviewing the drought situation in different districts, he said. “
I will inspect the situation in Tumakuru today and tomorrow and prepare a report in consultation with the officials.
We have already written to the Union Government seeking assistance for Karnataka, but there has been no response so far.
Drought conditions are prevailing in 240 taluks. We will conduct a detailed assessment and submit a comprehensive report to the Centre,” he said.
Dr. Parameshwara further said that there are certain Union Government guidelines that have to be followed before drought can formally be declared, and therefore the process will take some time.
“Once the reports are received, we will have a clear picture of the situation. Based on that, we will initiate measures to provide compensation for crop losses.
Today, I am visiting Sira,Pavagada,Madhugiri and Koratagere taluks. Tomorrow, I will visit Gubbi,Tiptur, Chikkanayakanahalli and Turuvekere.After completing the assessment, a detailed report will be prepared,”he said.
Responding to a question on how drought relief funds would be distributed among the 11 taluks of Tumakuru district, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the ₹5 crore allocation is for each district and has been placed at the disposal of the respective Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers.
“Additionally, ₹1 crore has been provided to each constituency through the respective MLAs. If this is insufficient, ₹329 crore has been kept available in the accounts of Deputy Commissioners and PDOs across the State, with instructions that the funds may be utilised during emergencies,”he said.
Dr. Parameshwara said that farmers are currently facing severe hardship and that many had informed him that they were yet to receive insurance compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
“I have issued strict instructions to the insurance companies in this regard. It is their responsibility to provide insurance compensation when farmers are in distress.
I had already convened a meeting earlier and clearly instructed the insurance companies to release the amounts without delay,” he said.
Responding to a suggestion that the government itself should bear the premium amount, he said that providing assistance to farmers, paying premiums and taking policy decisions were one aspect,but insurance companies must also fulfil their obligations.
“Last year, around 7,000 farmers paid their premiums, but the insurance companies did not release the compensation. If this continues, how can farmers have faith in the insurance system?”he asked.
Responding to a media query claiming that there are 19 lakh Bangladeshi nationals in Karnataka, including 4.5 lakh in Bengaluru city alone, Dr.Parameshwara questioned the basis of such figures.
“I have answered this issue several times in the Legislature.On what basis are they claiming that there are 19 lakh Bangladeshi nationals in the State? This is merely a political allegation,” he said.
He added that the Election Commission is conducting the SIR process.“If the Election Commission’s data establishes that there are 19 lakh Bangladeshi nationals, then we will take action accordingly. One cannot simply throw around figures without any basis,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether the State Government might once again stage a protest in Delhi against the Centre,Dr.Parameshwara said he hoped such a situation would not arise.
“But if such a situation does arise, we will have to act. We will seek funds from the Centre to protect our farmers and will submit all the necessary reports.
For instance, around 16,000 hectares were expected to be brought under groundnut cultivation, but sowing has taken place in only about 3,000 hectares, and even that crop has dried up.Hardly even one hectare may yield a proper crop,”he said.
“When we present this situation to the Union Government and seek assistance,if the Centre still refuses to release funds,what option do we have? We will have to protest,and if necessary, we may also have to approach the courts,”Dr.Parameshwara said.
