Bagalkot (Karnataka), Sep 4 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said crops had not developed properly in any of the areas he visited in Bagalkot district, and the government would examine measures to provide relief to farmers affected by crop failure as he conducted a drought survey across four taluks of the district and inspected farmers’ fields.

After inspecting fields in Shirur village, Shivakumar said sunflower, chilli, horse gram, and pigeon pea crops had suffered extensive damage.

“I have visited four taluks in Bagalkot district, and nowhere have the crops come up properly. There is no sunflower, chilli, horse gram, or pigeon pea. Some farmers have cultivated 20 to 30 acres and say they have crop insurance. I will discuss the situation with officials and MLAs and see what relief can be provided,” he said.

He said the government was assessing drought conditions in areas where drought had not yet been declared. “The crop may look green, but that does not mean there will be a yield. Sunflower has dried up, and chilli crops have been affected by disease,” he said.

Shivakumar urged the Union government to come to the aid of farmers and consider a loan waiver, recalling the farm loan waiver announced during the Manmohan Singh-led government.

“The Centre should come to the assistance of farmers. This is the responsibility of the BJP. Its leaders should put pressure on the Centre and the Prime Minister to waive farmers’ loans. The previous government under Manmohan Singh had done it. They should also do it now,” he said.

The Chief Minister said he had studied the costs incurred by farmers on sowing, cultivation, and tractor operations and was examining further assistance that could be provided.

On delays in crop insurance payments, Shivakumar said the previous claims were yet to be released and that he was holding meetings to resolve the issue.

Responding to allegations of a Rs 30-crore irregularity in the Fasal Bima Yojana in Bagalkot, he said there was a larger network involved in insurance-related irregularities.

“This is a statewide network. There is a big network in insurance. I will call for a report and hold a meeting in Bengaluru,” he said.

Addressing a district drought review meeting, Shivakumar said Bagalkot had recorded around 40 per cent rainfall deficiency and that drought conditions had affected several parts of the district.

He directed officials to conduct field visits, prioritise drinking water, and ensure that fodder kits reached farmers. He said Rs 1 crore had already been allocated to each Assembly constituency to address drinking water problems.

“When the Central team comes, officials should not give them false information. They should tell them the facts,” he said.

Shivakumar also said a special Assembly session would be held to discuss farmers’ issues and directed police to act against illegal moneylending networks and rowdy elements.

On the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Shivakumar said 16,391 votes in Bagalkot district had not been mapped, while notices had been issued to 12,364 people and 35,061 notices were pending.

“No one’s vote should be lost. Karnataka voters should not be deprived of the benefits of welfare schemes in their own state,” he said, and stressed the need to ensure that every eligible voter remained on the electoral roll.

–IANS

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