Sunil Lohan
*217 of Karnataka’s 240 Taluks Declared Drought-Affected.
*Our Government Stands With Farmers, Labourers and the Poor.
*Priority to Drinking Water and Fodder; Necessary Funds Released.
*Six Hours of Uninterrupted Daytime Power for Farmers; Issues Addressed on the Spot.
Karnataka is facing a severe drought, with crops cultivated by farmers being completely destroyed and leaving them in deep distress.
Protecting farmers is our Government’s first priority, and if necessary, we are prepared even to borrow funds to support them, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara said.
He was speaking during an interaction with farmers after visiting the farm of Nagamma Sharanegowda at Kalamangi village in Sindhanur taluk and inspecting the crop damage.
Of the State’s 240 taluks, 217 have already been declared drought-affected, while the process of declaring around 10 more taluks drought-affected is underway.
Except for four or five taluks in the coastal region, almost the entire State is facing drought conditions, he said.
“I have been in public life for 40 years and have never witnessed a drought of this severity.
Available data suggests that a drought of this magnitude may have occurred around 125 years ago. Even in the past 75 years, we have not seen rainfall fail to this extent,” he said.
Over the past two days, Dr. Parameshwara said he had visited several drought-affected areas across the State and personally inspected crop damage.
“When you pick up the soil in these fields, it is so hot that it feels as though it is burning. It is impossible for crops to grow in such soil. Crops have been completely destroyed due to the lack of rainfall,” he said.
Some areas have received rain over the past week and the fields may appear slightly green, but this has brought no real benefit to farmers.
Tur plants that would normally grow much taller have remained around two feet in height and dried up, while crops have failed without forming grains, he explained.
He said he had inspected crops at around 10 locations across Ballari and Vijayapura districts from morning to evening the previous day.
“Nowhere have crops survived properly. In some areas, nearly 98% of the crop has been destroyed. Even the remaining crop is unlikely to provide any income to farmers,” he said.
Farmers have borrowed from banks, cooperative banks and private sources to sow their crops. With crops failing, their debt burden has increased further. The distress is not limited to small farmers.
Even farmers with larger landholdings have suffered losses. Those who would normally support others are themselves in difficulty today. Apart from rice received through ration shops, many farmers have been left with very little, he said.
“Our Government is a Government that stands with farmers, labourers and the poor. We are not saying this only because there is a drought.
This has always been our position. The farmer feeds the country and strengthens the State’s economy. When that farmer is in distress, it is the Government’s responsibility to stand with him,” he said.
As soon as early indications of drought emerged, a meeting of Deputy Commissioners and officials from various departments of eight districts was held in Kalaburagi in June to review the situation. Similar review meetings were subsequently held in Belagavi and Chitradurga, he said.
The Government has also visited various districts and heard farmers’ grievances directly. Drought conditions have been reviewed in areas including Kolar, Chitradurga and Belagavi.
Because of the Legislature session, it was not possible to visit some regions earlier. Therefore, a three-day tour was undertaken to personally understand farmers’ problems.
He said he would have to return tonight due to other programmes, but would continue visiting more districts and taluks in the coming days.
Drought is not an issue confined to any one political party. Farmers belonging to all sections, irrespective of whether they support the BJP, Congress or JD(S), are facing hardship. Therefore, cooperation from all political parties is necessary to deal with the drought situation, he said.
A special session of the Legislature had been convened to take the Opposition into confidence and discuss drought management. Initially, the session was scheduled for three days, but following a request from the Opposition, it was extended by another day and discussions were held for a total of four days.
BJP and JD(S) members were also asked to provide suggestions on drought management. “There is one Government at the Centre and another in the State.
But both Governments must work together to address farmers’ distress. Mutual accusations will not benefit farmers,” he said.
To provide immediate assistance to drought-affected farmers, the State Government has announced ₹1,250 crore. Dr. Parameshwara said he himself had announced the decision to provide ₹2,500 each to farmers.
Under the existing norms, the Union and State Governments together are to provide ₹8,500 in assistance to farmers.
However, not a single rupee has yet been received from the Centre. “Central assistance may come in the coming days, but it is not right to make farmers wait until then.
That is why the State Government has decided to immediately provide ₹2,500 from its share,” he said.
The State Government is already implementing Guarantee schemes worth around ₹52,000 crore.These benefits are not restricted to Congress supporters but are reaching all eligible beneficiaries.
Women are receiving ₹2,000 per month, free bus travel and other Guarantee benefits,he said.
Taken together with other Government assistance, these schemes provide benefits worth around ₹1 lakh to a farmer family, he said.
In addition, the Government is spending ₹22,000 crore on electricity subsidy for farmers.The Government itself pays electricity supply companies on behalf of farmers.
“When so many programmes are being implemented, there is no substance in the allegation that the Government has gone bankrupt,” he said.
Despite financial limitations, the Government will not step back from its commitment to support farmers.We have discussed at the Government level that if necessary, we should even borrow funds to protect farmers.Our Government is committed to protecting their lives and livelihoods,”he assured.
The drought has not caused only crop losses. Drinking water shortages in rural areas and fodder shortages for livestock have also become serious.
Along with providing drinking water to people, it is essential to ensure adequate fodder and water for livestock, including cows, bullocks, sheep and goats, he said.
While some regions receive drinking water through reservoirs, conditions are serious in many parts of the State.
In some areas, groundwater is available at depths of 300 to 500 feet, while in his own region borewells have been drilled to 1,800 feet, and in Kolar to 2,000 feet, only to yield around one-and-a-half inches of water. This shows the severity of the water crisis in different parts of Karnataka, he said.
Officials have been directed to distribute the necessary kits to enable farmers to cultivate fodder and prevent shortages. Around ₹25 crore has been provided to Deputy Commissioners for fodder banks and fodder kits, he said.
So far, ₹306 crore has been released for drinking water arrangements. Every Assembly constituency has been provided ₹1 crore, with an additional ₹2 crore made available depending on requirements.
Funds are also available for the region through the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board. A proposal of ₹35,000 crore has been made for the Board, with ₹5,000 crore being provided annually, he said.
The Government is taking responsible measures to address drinking water shortages for people and livestock as well as the fodder shortage, he said.
Migration from rural areas in search of work due to drought is a matter of serious concern.
Dr. Parameshwara said that during a visit to a Lambani Tanda the previous day, he had seen that most residents were preparing to leave the village in search of employment.
“I have appealed to them not to leave their villages. The Government has made arrangements to provide employment locally,” he said.
Steps have been taken to provide a daily wage of ₹380 under employment guarantee works. People should be provided work in lake, tank and other rural development projects, he said.
Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers have been instructed to provide employment to every eligible worker.
There should not be delays of several months in paying wages. Strict instructions have been issued to ensure that wages are paid every week, he said.
Creating employment opportunities locally so that people do not lose their livelihoods and migrate because of the drought is a priority for the Government.
During the drought tour, farmers complained that agricultural pump sets were not receiving adequate power supply. Farmers at Umaroti village also raised the issue.
Dr. Parameshwara then directed the concerned power department officials on the spot to ensure six hours of uninterrupted electricity supply for agricultural activities, preferably during the daytime.
Farmers who go to their fields at night face several risks, including snake bites. Therefore, it is necessary to provide six hours of uninterrupted power with adequate voltage during the daytime,he said.
Any technical problems in electricity supply should be rectified, and if necessary, officials should discuss the matter with their superiors and resolve it.
“Officials may sometimes make mistakes.But arguments will not solve problems. Issues should be discussed with officials and resolved. I will speak to the officials on behalf of the farmers,” he said.
Instructions to provide six hours of uninterrupted daytime electricity should be implemented at the earliest.
If there are difficulties in implementation, the Deputy Commissioner and Zilla Panchayat CEO should bring them to his notice, he directed.
Meanwhile, when the issue of shortage of funds for purchasing diesel for buses was brought to his attention, Dr. Parameshwara said he immediately spoke to the Transport Minister and ensured that the necessary funds for diesel purchase were released within half an hour.
“Merely giving assurances to the public is not enough. Their problems must be resolved in practice.
The demands raised by farmers are legitimate, and the Government’s will take steps to address them,” he said.
