Karnataka: Siddaramaiah looks to PM for help on farmer issues

Mysuru: Defending the role of the state government in tackling drought and resolving issues like the sliding prices of sugarcane, silk cocoons, green chillies and tomatos, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said he has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss these issues and seek the Centre’s support.

He was speaking to media persons on his arrival at Mysuru Airport to participate in various programmes. “The state is witnessing an intense drought situation this year. We have set up a monitoring cell to report on the drought situation prevailing across the state. Although we can wait till August 30, Revenue Minister Mr V. Srinivasprasad has visited three divisions and has reported about an acute drought situation, we have already declared 98 taluks in those three divisions as drought-hit. He will be touring Mysuru sub division too, and more taluks are likely to come in the list. So far we have released Rs 749 crore for drought relief. We are planning to take an all party to delegation to Delhi to discuss the drought, farmer suicides, sliding prices of sugarcane, silk cocoons, green chillies, tomatos in order to seek the Centre’s support. We have sought the appointment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice. We have also discussed this with Union Ministers Mr Ananth Kumar and Mr Sadananda Gowda. But we are yet to get an appointment,” he said.

When asked about the depleting water level in KRS and if it would lead to a water crisis, he said, “Except for Harangi and Kabini no other reservoir has filled up this year. The South West Monsoon has not ended yet. We are hopeful it will rain and dams will fill up,” he said.

When asked about Kalasa-Banduri project he said, “There are plans to build barrages to Kalasa and Banduri tributaries of Mahadaayi and divert them to Malaprabha to improve drinking water facilities in Navalgund, Nargunda and other parts of North Karnataka.”

Kalsa-banduri: Why approach Delhi, asks H.D. Kumaraswamy

Condemning the state government's plan to take all party delegation to the Prime Minister demanding early implementation of Kalasa-Banduri project, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy suggested that all preparations should be made by collecting opinions from legal experts before taking any such decision.

Addressing mediapersons after taking part in a padayathra from Moorusavir Mutt to Channamma circle seeking Karnataka's share of water from Mahadayi river, he said the Chief Minister is taking a delegation to the Centre as a mere formality.

Urging the government to file a fresh petition before the tribunal for an interim order over water sharing, he reiterated that he will organize 'Delhi Chalo' rally on August 31 by taking more than five thousand farmers by train to the national capital.

He also alleged that there will be rampant misuse of the Rs 200 crore fund announced by the state government to take up drought relief measures in parched districts in Karnataka.