Addressing reporters here on Thursday, she said that 24,193 growers have insured their crops in the district during the year 2016-17. Of them, 22,493 growers are eligible to get the insurance amount following crop loss.

Rs 49.16 crore is payable to the district and Rs 32 crore had been released. The insurance company had assured releasing of the remaining Rs 17 crore. But, Rs 16 crore out of the Rs 32 crore has gone back due to technical reasons according to the horticulture department officials, Rekha alleged and condemned the negligence by the officials.

About 11,920 farmers have registered under the crop insurance scheme and have paid the premiums of Rs 37.03 lakh towards groundnut, horse gram, and corn. An insurance amount of Rs 24.26 crore is payable to the farmers. But none of the farmers have been paid the insurance amount. The officials have not given a proper explanation. The insurance amount has not been released to the banks, she said and alleged that the state government is not managing the insurance scheme implemented by the Central government.

Rekha Huliyappa Gowda said that a fight has become inevitable for farmers now. A meeting in this regard will be convened at Kadur Inspection Bungalow on January 19 at 3.30 pm.

Agriculturists T Moortappa, Ramappa, Ramesh and Ravi were present here alongside the former ZP member.