LoP accuses govt of ‘mishandling’ drought, farmers’ distress

Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Congress government of “failing” to adequately address drought-related distress, the drinking-water situation and the state’s finances, and said the BJP would take the issues to the “people’s court”.

The BJP leader also questioned Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s proposal for an all-party delegation to the Centre, saying the government had not consulted the opposition while preparing its memorandum seeking central assistance.

“The Congress government in Karnataka, this joint government of Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, has pushed the people of Karnataka into three major crises,” Ashoka told reporters here.

According to him, more than 3,000 farmers have died by suicide since the Congress government came to power and the opposition has demanded Rs 25,000 per acre in drought compensation. The government had instead announced Rs 2,500 per farmer.

The state has announced the assistance for around 50 lakh drought-hit farmers at an estimated cost of Rs 1,250 crore.

Ashoka said the government should also prevent distress migration, ensure drinking water and provide adequate power to farmers.

He alleged that more than 200 taluks had crossed the drought threshold and claimed a 36 per cent rainfall deficit across Karnataka and 46 per cent in south interior Karnataka.

He said the BJP would decide whether to join the proposed delegation after discussions with NDA partners, including Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H D Kumaraswamy. “If you work for the good of the state, we will stand with you for the good of the state,” he said.

Ashoka also charged the government with “mishandling” farmer debt-related distress and demanded directions to banks and microfinance companies to halt loan recovery for two years.

Referring to alleged farmer suicides in Maddur and K M Doddi, he described them as “government-sponsored killings” but provided no independent evidence for the allegation.

On the state’s finances, Ashoka alleged that Karnataka had been pushed into a severe debt burden and demanded that the government release detailed financial figures.

He claimed the state’s outstanding debt was Rs 8,34,677 crore and alleged that more than half of it had been incurred during Siddaramaiah’s tenure.

He also referred to a reported death note by a KRIDL engineer, alleging harassment over delayed payments, and cited the Karnataka Contractors’ Association’s demand for release of Rs 38,000 crore in pending bills. These claims were presented by Ashoka as evidence of financial distress.

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