Bonanza for Karnataka farmers today: Rahul Gandhi

MANDYA: At the end of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s two-day visit to Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to announce a slew of sops for farmers at a rally in Ranebennur on Saturday.

After a 40-minute interaction with progressive farmers, agriculture scientists and students at VC Farm in Mandya district, Mr Gandhi said, “Today, I visited families of farmers who committed suicide. The reality is that there is an agrarian crisis in the country. I had a discussion with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his ministers. We have some ideas on what they are going to do and the CM will announce it at a public rally on Saturday. The sad part is the central government’s support to the state is missing. Karnataka has submitted a memorandum seeking funds from the Centre but they have not taken it seriously. The Centre does not think agriculture or kisans are important.”

He accused the NDA government of practising partisan attitude when it comes to addressing problems of farmers in Congress-ruled states.“Our PM has time to visit the United States and other nations, but he is too busy to visit Karnataka to see the plight of farmers. Mr Modi should spend some time with farmers of India in general and farmers of Karnataka in particular,” he added.
Asked whether loan waiver was one of the options to alleviate problems of farmers, Mr Gandhi said a solution has been discussed.

“It is not just one thing but number of things we are going to do. We are going to support the kissan of karnataka. The issue is how sensitive you are to farmers. Farmers are struggling. During the UPA regime, we supported them and helped them through Rs 70, 000 crore loan waiver. We maintained MSP. We ensured that they are supported. That is what is lacking with this government” he added.