Drought-hit farmers reject Rs 2,500 relief, demand Rs 50K compensation

Dharwad: Farmers from villages in Kundgol taluk have opposed the Karnataka government’s decision to provide Rs 2,500 as drought relief to each farmer, demanding compensation of Rs 50,000 instead. Protesting against what they described as inadequate assistance, the farmers staged a demonstration outside the Dharwad Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The protesters said the proposed amount was insufficient to meet even the basic agricultural expenses of purchasing seeds and fertilisers. They argued that the government should extend meaningful financial support to cultivators struggling with drought rather than provide a token amount.

In a symbolic protest, the farmers held Rs 500 currency notes and offered to contribute an additional Rs 500 each to the proposed relief amount. They said they were willing to return the government’s Rs 2,500 assistance along with another Rs 500, making it Rs 3,000, if the government needed the money.“If the government needs more money, let it tell us. We are even prepared to borrow money and give it to the government,” the protesters said, expressing anger over the relief package. The farmers maintained that those who feed the nation should not be placed in a position where they have to seek assistance that fails to address their losses. They urged the government to recognise the scale of the drought and announce compensation of Rs 50,000 for every affected farmer.The protesters also warned of an intensified agitation if their demand was not met. They announced plans to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha on October 26 and launch a ‘barakolu’ protest

The farmers said they would continue their struggle until the government reconsidered its relief decision and announced adequate compensation for drought-hit cultivators.

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