Drought only for farmers, not for Zilla Panchayat members!

Political parties have remained silent over the issue, forcing farmer organizations to come onto the streets to condemn the jaunt by elected representatives.

As many as 21 Zilla Panchayat members have conducted a 12-day jaunt along with their wives, children and other relatives from November 30.

They are touring various places including Agra, Shimla, Jaipur, Chandigarh, New Delhi and other northern parts of the country.

A senior official in Zilla Panchayat has said on the condition of anonymity that these members have generated funds to the tune of Rs 30 lakh from various departments through illegal means for their tour expenditure.

Due to this, various farmer organizations have launched widespread protests in the taluks as the government has not taken up adequate drought relief measures in the district, forcing farmers to migrate to cities in search of jobs.

“More than 70 debt-ridden farmers have committed suicide in Haveri district during the last four months. Still, the ZP members have gone on tour by mobilizing funds from various departments instead of coming to the rescue of distressed farmers. Their move is shameful as there is no provision for them to undertake such a tour. Therefore, we will lay siege to the office of the deputy commissioner on December 15 after holding protests in all taluk headquarters in the district,” Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangh Haveri district president Ramanna Kenchalli said.

The farmer leaders claimed that political parties have remained mute spectators keeping an eye on the votebank in the wake of the forthcoming Legislative Council elections.

They are also geared up to launch a campaign against these ZP members during next panchayat elections. Meanwhile, ZP chief executive officer K B Anjanappa claimed that he is not aware of it and the panchayat has not organized any such tour.