Provide compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre to drought-hit farmers in K'taka: BJP

Bidar (Karnataka), Jul 13 (PTI) The BJP on Monday demanded that the Congress government in Karnataka should provide compensation of at least Rs 50,000 per acre to farmers affected by deficient rainfall in the northern region of the state. Speaking to reporters here, the BJP state president B Y Vijayendra alleged that lakhs of hectares remained unsown due to the delayed monsoon. Vijayendra said districts such as Raichur, Kalaburagi and Yadgir had received only around 12 per cent of the normal rainfall, leaving farmers unable to sow crops including Tur (pigeon pea), sunflower and cotton. "I urge the Chief Minister to provide compensation of at least Rs 50,000 per acre, especially to the distressed farmers of North Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka. The state government must seriously address this issue and respond to the problems faced by farmers," he said. Claiming that more than three million hectares had remained unsown, Vijayendra said the rainfall deficit had pushed farmers into severe distress and accused Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of merely conducting a "photo-op" during his recent visit to Basavakalyan instead of announcing relief measures. Referring to the Anubhava Mantapa project at Basavakalyan, which is a sacred place for the Lingayat community, the BJP leader alleged that the Congress government had neglected the project over the last three years despite repeated demands from the people of the region. He said his father and former chief minister B S Yediyurappa had accorded priority to the project during the BJP's tenure by releasing Rs 100 crore initially, followed by another Rs 200 crore, taking the overall project value to around Rs 500 crore. Vijayendra urged the Chief Minister to immediately release the pending funds for the project and ensure that all pending development works were completed. Responding to questions on reported factionalism within the BJP in Bidar ahead of the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections, Vijayendra said any issues within the district unit would be resolved through discussions. "If there are any issues in the BJP's Bidar district unit, I have called for a Core Committee meeting today. We will sit together, discuss the matter, and resolve whatever issues exist," he said. Rejecting allegations that BJP legislators in Bidar were working in coordination with the Congress, Vijayendra said, "There is absolutely no question of our MLAs having any understanding with the Congress." He said the party's Core Committee would also deliberate on how the BJP and its district leaders should respond more effectively to farmers' issues. PTI GMS ROH