Kurubur accuses state govt of discriminating against ryots

Mysuru: Karnataka State Farmers Federation president Kurubur Shanthakumar on Sunday accused the state govt of discriminating against farmers over distribution of drought relief.

Speaking to reporters, he said about 70 lakh farmers are engaged in agriculture activities in the state, but state govt is distributing drought relief only to 27 lakh farmers who have applied for the relief.

“The remaining 43 lakh farmers were left out from availing drought relief provided by both state and Union govts,” he charged.

“As per the NDRF guidelines, each farmer can claim drought relief for up to two hectares for the crop loss suffered. Though the state govt claimed to have distributed Rs 2,000 input subsidy to 27 lakh drought-hit farmers in the state, only about 50% of farmers have received Rs 500 to Rs 600 drought relief input subsidy,” he claimed.

Shanthakumar said a delegation of farmer leaders will meet chief minister Siddaramaiah on May 14 seeking distribution of drought relief to all farmers who have suffered crop loss. The delegation will appeal to the CM to direct all sugar mills across the state to release sugarcane dues of Rs 1,500 crore as well as release Rs 150 additional incentive per tonne of sugarcane.

He said the State Sugarcane Growers Association will facilitate outstanding personalities with Kayaka Shresta award on account of Basava Jayanthi celebrations on May 9 in the city.

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