KRRS: Govt, oppn have failed on drought front

Mysuru: Leaders of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and federation of farmers' organisations' on Tuesday lambasted the heads of ruling and Opposition parties for ignoring the interests of farmers and charged that they failed to provide succor in drought-hit areas.

“While leaders of the ruling party are busy about retaining their positions and expansion of the cabinet, leaders of Opposition are waiting for collapse of the government and planning on how to gain power,” Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha President, Mr Badagalpura Nagendra told the media here today.

He said: “It is not enough for Opposition leaders to study the drought situation, They should bring pressure and ensure that the ruling party acts properly. The confusion on waiver of farm loans by cooperative banks continue. Paddy growers are in trouble, Paddy purchasing centres must be started soon. The number of liquor shops have increased in the rural belt, and even provision stores are selling liquor in these areas, leading to increase in alcoholism among farmers.”

Mr Kurbur Shanthakumar, head of the state unit of federation of farmers' organizations, said "pension given under 'Kisaan sammaan' scheme must be increased from Rs 6000 to Rs 12,000. 'Fasal bhima' scheme should be extended to benefit all farmers. The state government should drop the proposal to amend the land acquisition Act.