Hubballi: Expressing their anger over negligence by State and Union governments in providing compensation to flood victims, farmers virtually gheraoed large and medium scale industries minister Jagadish Shettar in Belagavi on Friday.
They sought a clarification from Shettar, who is also Belagavi district in-charge minister, on relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims.
Shouting ‘shame government shame’ slogan against the state government, they attempted to lie down before the minister's vehicle, prompting the police to intervene and bring the tense situation under control.
Shettar on his maiden visit after being appointed district in-charge minister, held a meeting with the farmers and officials to review flood relief measures.
The officials briefed the minister about the unprecedented rains and simultaneous flood havoc in Belagavi which is the worst affected district in the state.
The farmers accused the Central government of step-motherly treatment despite people electing 25 Bharatiya Janata Party MPs from Karnataka.
The farmers demanded Rs 15 lakh for construction of new houses for the displaced flood victims instead of Rs 5 lakh announced by the government.
They also urged the government to pay compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh per acre for loss of the sugarcane crop in the flood.
The farmers also resolved to hold meeting of flood victims and farmers of all flood-hit districts of the state in Haveri on September 25 to chalk out their strategy against the government.
