Samyukta Horata wants Kalaburagi to be declared drought-hit

The Samyukta Horata Karnataka has demanded that the government of Karnataka immediately declare Kalaburagi district as drought-hit, and provide compensation of ₹30,000 per acre to farmers who are facing losses due to the failure of the southwest monsoon.

Addressing a joint press conference in Kalaburagi on July 16, Samyukta Horata Karnataka convener Sharanabasappa Mammashetty said that the delayed and deficient rainfall had severely affected agricultural activities in the district. As of July 16, sowing operations for the kharif season had not progressed as expected, leaving farmers who had invested in seeds and agricultural inputs in distress, he said.

He said the fall in groundwater levels and the drying up of the Bhima river had aggravated the drinking water crisis for people and livestock. “Even as the situation has turned critical, the government has failed to take immediate steps to provide relief to farmers,” he alleged.

Highlighting the plight of sugarcane growers, Mr. Mammashetty said sugarcane growers were facing severe financial hardships due to delayed payments by sugar factories. He demanded that sugar mills clear pending dues immediately, and warned that farmers’ organisations would intensify their agitation if the issue was not resolved.

He urged the government to facilitate the release of 15 TMC of water from the Ujani reservoir in Maharashtra to the Bhima river to address the water shortage in the district. He demanded a complete waiver of loans taken by farmers from nationalised banks.

Organisation member Maulla Mullah demanded that the cost incurred by farmers for sowing should be included while assessing crop losses under insurance schemes. Farmers who had spent money on seeds, fertilisers and other inputs had been left without returns due to the failure of rainfall, he said.

Bheemashankar Madiyal said the government should assess the ground situation and announce immediate relief measures instead of delaying decisions. He urged authorities to take steps to safeguard the interests of farmers affected by the drought-like conditions.

Series of protests

The farmers’ leaders announced a series of protests if their demands were not met. They said road blockades would be organised across the district from July 21 to 31 at various Ring Road junctions, including Sedam Road, Aland Road, Afzalpur and Rajapur Road.

They announced a protest in front of all tahsildar offices in the taluk headquarters from August 3 to 14. If the government failed to respond to their demands, a ‘Kalaburagi bandh’ would be observed on August 17, they warned.

SHK members Umapathi Patil, Mallinath Patil and Shanta Sardagi were present.