Minister for Mines and Geology and district in-charge Vinay Kulkarni has said that considering the crop loss to farmers in Dharwad district due to the drought this year, the State government had released Rs. 95 crore as compensation.

Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, Mr. Kulkarni said that the State government move follows the proposal sent by the district administration regarding providing compensation for the crop loss.

“Because of drought, the farmers in the district completely lost the kharif crop and the district administration had sent a proposal seeking a relief of Rs. 300 crore. The Cabinet sub-committee formed by the State government visited various parts of the district and based on its recommendation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has released Rs. 95 crore towards relief for the farmers,” he said.

Meeting

The Minister said that a meeting of district-level officials would be convened and steps taken to provide compensation to farmers within a week. He said that the farmers who had cultivated Bengal gram for the rabi season too had incurred loss as the yield had been reduced by half in Dharwad district.

The issue would be brought to the notice of the State government also, he said.

The Minister alleged that the Union government was not sanctioning funds under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, although there were several old schools in Dharwad district which required funds for carrying out renovation of the weak buildings. BJP leaders from the district should prevail upon the concerned Union Ministry to get funds for these schools, he said.

Mr. Kulkarni also demanded that considering the plight of the farmers in distress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should waive off the farm loans just like his predecessor Manmohan Singh who had waived Rs. 72,000 crore of farm loans.

Source - thehindu.com