CM Walks The Fields, Hears Gadag Farmers’ Drought Woes

Gadag: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday went from field to field in drought-hit parts of Gadag district, inspecting withered crops, interacting with farmers seated on the ground and assuring them that their demands, including the one to declare more taluks drought-hit, would be considered.

Shivakumar visited Kadampur in Mundaragi taluk and Kurthakoti and Hulakoti villages in Gadag taluk to get a first-hand account of the drought and crop losses.

At Kadampur, he inspected the sunflower crop in the field of Shankarappa Gavarawad, maize in Sunitha Eerappa Pujari’s field and cotton grown by Kallappa Kadappagol.

He later visited Kurthakoti, where he inspected groundnut, cotton and chilli crops in the field of Srinath Martandagouda. At Hulakoti, he inspected the maize crop in Hanumanthappa Sogin’s field and spoke to farmers about the impact of poor rainfall.

At every field, farmers and officials briefed him on the problems they were facing. The Chief Minister closely examined the crops, occasionally tasting them, and issued necessary directions to the officials.

During the visit and interaction farmers told the Chief Minister that crops had been badly affected this year and that drought conditions prevailed across Gadag district. They urged the government to declare the remaining six taluks of the district drought-hit.

Responding to their demand, Shivakumar said the government was assessing the situation and would visit more areas before taking a decision.

“We are examining the drought situation and will visit more places for an assessment. After studying the situation, we will submit a report to the Centre and drought-hit taluks will be declared in accordance with the guidelines,” he assured the farmers.

At Kurthakoti, Shivakumar also visited the farm of GN Patil and inspected teak trees planted along the bunds of his land. He discussed the government’s ‘Tegada Siri’ scheme with the farmer.

The Chief Minister later stopped to speak with a group of agricultural labourers who had gathered at the village. The workers told him that they had received more employment under MGNREGA earlier and urged the government to ensure that adequate work was available under the VB-G RAM G scheme as well.

Shivakumar used the interaction to ask whether the government’s guarantee schemes were reaching them properly.

He also spoke about the ongoing review of Gruha Jyothi and Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries and told them that beneficiaries should provide their own mobile numbers during the verification process instead of using numbers belonging to third parties.

The agricultural workers, in turn, told the Chief Minister that the guarantee schemes had provided some relief to their families. They said they were receiving 10 kg of rice every month, assistance under Gruha Lakshmi and free electricity through Gruha Jyothi.

The schemes had helped them manage their households even during periods when agricultural work was not available, they told him.

The Chief Minister later held a meeting with senior officials at the Gadag Deputy Commissioner’s office to review the drought situation in the district.

Higher Education Minister and Gadag district in-charge Basavaraj Rayareddy, MLAs HK Patil, CC Patil and NN Konaraddi, Regional Commissioner Janaki S, IGP Sandeep Patil, Deputy Commissioner CN Sridhar, Zilla Panchayat CEO Mukul Jain, Superintendent of Police Mithun HN and other officials were present.