Cong Govt Failing to Address Drought Situation in Karnataka: BJP

Ballari: Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Thursday accused the Congress government of "failing" to respond to the worsening drought situation in the state, alleging that farmers had lost their crops and officials had not conducted ground surveys.

The government was delaying a formal drought declaration, thereby depriving cultivators of insurance benefits, he alleged.

Leading a BJP delegation that visited drought-hit villages in this district, Ashoka demanded an immediate waiver of farm loans up to Rs one lakh, compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre for crop losses, and urgent measures to tackle the drinking water and fodder crises.

He also sought immediate release of funds to taluks for drought mitigation works.

"If the government does not declare a drought, farmers will not receive crop insurance. Once a drought is declared, they will get insurance benefits. That has not happened," Ashoka said.

He alleged that the administration had failed to initiate the relief process despite widespread crop damage.

Ashoka said he had already visited Chitradurga and Davanagere to assess the drought situation and would tour Vijayanagara district next. He claimed farmers across the districts were in distress, alleging that crops such as pigeon pea and jowar had failed completely even after 50 days of sowing and that many cultivators had stopped visiting their fields.

Alleging official apathy, he claimed that no Deputy Commissioner, Tahsildar or other officials had visited villages to conduct surveys.

He also accused district ministers and MLAs of neglecting drought-hit regions, alleging they were occupied with Cabinet-related developments in Delhi instead of addressing farmers' concerns.

Ashoka alleged that migration from Kalyana Karnataka had begun, with people moving to Goa and Maharashtra in search of work, and claimed the government had failed to effectively implement the Centre's MGNREGA scheme to provide employment. He also warned of an impending drinking water crisis and alleged that a "tanker mafia" would exploit the situation unless emergency funds were released immediately and task forces were constituted in every taluk.

Targeting Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Ashoka accused him of neglecting the state's problems while remaining in Delhi, and criticised the government for "failing" to announce irrigation projects or crop compensation. Referring to remarks by Revenue Minister G Parameshwara, he said approaching the Centre after August for drought assistance would be too late as people would have already migrated in search of livelihoods.

Besides farm loan waiver and compensation, he also demanded for the establishment of goshalas with adequate fodder, alleging that the government had failed to provide support even to existing cattle shelters.

The BJP leader further alleged that old-age pensions had not been paid for three months, dues under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme remained pending and Yuva Nidhi had stalled, claiming the state's finances had deteriorated.

He also accused the government of diverting Karnataka's funds and described the Congress dispensation as "the worst government in Karnataka's history." On water issues, Ashoka said the government should immediately declare a drought so that the Centre could send an assessment team.

"There has already been a delay. If you declare a drought, the Central government can send an assessment team. If you don't declare a drought, how will the Centre send a team," he asked.

Responding to questions on water being released from the Tungabhadra system to Andhra Pradesh, Ashoka said he would consult BJP leaders and party workers and organise protests if water was being released from either the Cauvery or Tungabhadra reservoirs.

He also alleged that ration cards, old-age pensions and widow pensions were being discontinued, claiming nearly 20 lakh beneficiaries had been removed, and challenged the government to release a White Paper on the state's finances.