Karnataka govt failed on drought, says Kumaraswamy; opens handloom centre
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka has failed to take adequate steps to mitigate the effects of drought in the State. Addressing a gathering in Guledagudda in Bagalkot district, he said farmers were facing severe hardship due to deficient monsoon, while the government was spending public money on grand events.
"There is drought across the State. Farmers are facing severe hardship due to lack of monsoon. But in such a situation, the government is spending huge amounts of public money in front of the Vidhana Soudha to hold a freedom festival. This is a matter of shame," Mr. Kumaraswamy said.
The Union Minister, who is also a former Chief Minister of Karnataka, criticised the State government's five guarantee schemes, claiming they were a misappropriation of public funds. He said the condition of farmers in districts such as Koppal, Raichur and Kalaburagi in the Kalyana Karnataka region was "extremely grave and worrying", and that rural areas were facing a serious drinking water problem.
"The government has not come to the aid of farmers," he added.
Mr. Kumaraswamy was speaking after inaugurating the new building of the Kotekal Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, a farmers' produce purchase and sales centre, a handloom products sales centre, and the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society building. He lauded the efforts of the Kotekal Primary Karnataka Panchayat Societies (PKPS), which constructed a godown at a cost of ₹6 crore for storage of farmers' grain.
"They have done a great job by establishing a handloom manufacturing centre, creating employment opportunities for local weavers and providing jobs to 30 mothers," he said.
The new facilities are expected to provide better market access for farmers and weavers in the region. PKPS president Hanumantha said the centre would serve as a model to facilitate farmers and weavers. The event was attended by local religious leaders, including Kotekal Holehucheshwara Sri and Basavaraja Pattadariya Sri of Gurusiddheshwara Brahmanath, and Gurusiddha Pattadariya Sri.
This is not the first instance of Mr. Kumaraswamy criticising the State government's handling of agriculture and drought. As a senior leader of the Janata Dal (Secular), which is part of the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, he has been vocal in his opposition to the Congress government's policies. His remarks also come amid reports of a dry spell in several parts of northern Karnataka, affecting standing crops and drinking water availability.
No immediate response was available from the Karnataka government to the Minister's allegations.
