Beg, borrow or steal but pay farmers their dues: Deve Gowda

Bengaluru: Holding the Centre and the state equally responsible for the sorry state of affairs in the agriculture sector, former Prime Minister Mr H.D. Deve Gowda urged Chief Minister Mr Siddaramaiah to clear the sugarcane farmers’ arrears before Monday, when the Legislature session begins.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Mandya district, where a farmer committed suicide after setting his sugarcane crop on fire, Mr Gowda said: “Beg, borrow or steal, but clear the farmers' arrears before the session begins. He also referred to the CM announcing programme after programme and said: “We are happy about his concern for the backward classes. During the Belagavi session in 2013, a farmer. Vittal Arbhavi committed suicide. I want to know what programme the government has announced to help sugarcane farmers since that sucide?'' Mr Gowda wondered.

Citing the example of a progressive farmer Rajendra, a graduate and agriculturist, who committed suicide despite adopting multi-crop farming, Mr Gowda said farmers depending on all crops were hit hard.

“Whether it is obtaining overdraft from the Centre or other means. Mr Siddaramaiah was finance minister with me and he has the experience,'' Mr Gowda added.