"Rs 2,500 per farmer won’t resolve their issues": JDS's Nikhil Kumaraswamy on aid to drought-hit farmers in Karnataka
JDS leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy slams the Karnataka government, stating the Rs 2,500 drought relief is inadequate for the state's 234 drought-hit taluks.
Janata Dal (Secular) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy has launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government, claiming that the recently announced financial assistance for drought-stricken farmers is woefully inadequate to address the crisis.
Speaking in Hassan, Kumaraswamy expressed deep disappointment over the decision to provide only Rs 2,500 per farmer, noting that such a meager sum fails to compensate for the massive scale of agricultural destruction currently unfolding across the state.
A State in Crisis: 234 Taluks Hit by Drought
The scale of the environmental disaster in Karnataka is immense. According to Kumaraswamy, the drought has touched every corner of the state, with all 31 districts reporting severe impacts. The government has officially declared nearly 234 taluks as drought-affected areas, though the JDS leader argued that this recognition came far too late.
"The declaration was made late; it should have been done earlier," Kumaraswamy remarked, highlighting the delay in administrative response to the growing agricultural distress.
Expectations vs. Reality in Relief Measures
The JDS leader revealed that there was significant hope among lawmakers that the government's special session would result in more substantial support. He noted that many party MLAs had anticipated a relief package closer to Rs 25,000 per acre to truly aid those who have lost their livelihoods.
"But now that he has announced only Rs 2,500 per farmer, I don't think this is going to resolve any of the farmers' issues," Kumaraswamy stated, emphasizing the gap between the government's announcement and the actual needs of the farming community.
As a party that identifies as being rooted in the farming community, the JDS has launched a state-wide tour. Kumaraswamy confirmed that members are visiting all 31 districts to personally engage with farmers and understand the specific hardships they are facing on the ground.
Government Defends Stance Amidst "125-Year" Drought
While the opposition criticizes the amount, the state government has maintained that protecting farmers remains its highest priority. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara underscored the unprecedented nature of the current weather patterns.
Parameshwara highlighted the severity of the situation by comparing it to historical data, stating:
- The current drought is of a magnitude not seen in decades.
- Available data suggests a drought this severe may not have occurred for approximately 125 years.
- In the last 75 years, rainfall has never failed to this extreme extent.
The Deputy Chief Minister further asserted that the government is prepared to take extreme measures, including borrowing funds if necessary, to ensure that the farming community receives the support required to survive this historic dry spell.