Nikhil questions adequacy of ₹2,500 relief for drought-hit farmers

Janata Dal (Secular) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy has questioned whether the State government’s announcement of ₹2,500 each for farmers will compensate for the losses suffered by those affected by drought.

Speaking to presspersons during his visit to Channarayapatna in Hassan district on Thursday, Mr. Nikhil Kumaraswamy alleged that the State government had no concern for the farming community. The relief announced was insufficient, and no Government Order had been issued to this effect, he said. A mere announcement would not help farmers in any way.

He also alleged that the State government was shirking its responsibilities by citing the Centre’s NDRF norms. Every year, the State government had been receiving monetary benefits from the Centre. “If we compare the financial assistance provided during the Congress rule at the Centre with that during the NDA rule, the State has benefited more under the present rule,” he said.

Reacting to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s statement on an alleged attempt of sting operations on him, Mr. Nikhil Kumaraswamy said the people of the State knew very well who was well-versed in conducting sting operations. “If the Chief Minister asks the Ministers to be careful about sting operations, people understand that something is happening within the government. Instead of worrying about the plight of the people, those in power are busy thinking about what is good for them,” he said.

Alliance

Answering a question, the leader said the JD(S) and the BJP would face the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections together. “We will fight the elections jointly as NDA partners. Workers of both parties will work together,” he said.

Mr. Nikhil Kumaraswamy interacted with farmers, many of whom narrated the difficulties they were facing due to the drought. A few said they were being harassed by private finance agencies that lend at exorbitant interest rates. One farmer said Revenue Department officers were harassing rural people by delaying services.

Shravanabelagola MLA C.N. Balakrishna, Arakalgud MLA A. Manju, Hassan MLA Swaroop Prakash and others were present.