Kumaraswamy accuses Karnataka government of failing farmers; JD(S) to attend Cauvery meet

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of completely failing to manage the drought situation, saying farmer suicides have once again begun in the state. He was speaking to reporters after visiting Hatna Bevukallu village in Mandya taluk, where a farmer couple reportedly died by suicide due to mounting debt.

Expressing deep concern over the loss of lives, Mr. Kumaraswamy urged the state government to take immediate steps to prevent further such tragedies. He noted that hundreds of farmers were being pushed to take their own lives, with extensive crop losses reported across several parts of Karnataka. He also pointed out that banks had already started issuing notices to farmers with outstanding loans, questioning what measures the state government was taking to address the crisis.

The Union Minister criticised the state government's response, highlighting that Karnataka does not even have a full-time Agriculture Minister at a time when farmers are facing severe hardship. He also said that the Chief Minister, ministers, and MLAs had spent recent days in New Delhi discussing Cabinet expansion. "The party high command will decide who becomes a Minister. Instead of spending time in Delhi over Cabinet positions, the government should be working for the people of Karnataka," he said.

On the Cauvery water dispute, Mr. Kumaraswamy confirmed that the Janata Dal (Secular) would attend the all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. "We will attend the meeting in the interest of Karnataka's farmers and present our position," he said. He appealed to all political parties to adopt a united resolution safeguarding Karnataka's interests.

Mr. Kumaraswamy reiterated his view that the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) recent decision was flawed. He said the authority should have first assessed the actual storage in Cauvery basin reservoirs in Karnataka, and also evaluated water levels in Mettur and Bhavani reservoirs in Tamil Nadu. "The Authority should have deputed teams to both states, conducted a detailed field assessment, and only thereafter issued its directions," he said.

The Minister questioned whether Tamil Nadu was seeking water for drinking or irrigation, stating that Karnataka should obtain complete clarity on the matter. "When Karnataka is unable to provide adequate water to its own farmers, it is simply not possible to release water to a neighbouring state under such difficult circumstances," he emphasised.

He said the JD(S) would place several firm demands before the state government to safeguard Karnataka's irrigation interests. Former Minister C.S. Puttaraju, JD(S) Legislature Party Leader Suresh Babu, district JD(S) president D. Ramesh, and senior leader Ramachandra accompanied the Union Minister during his visit.

(If anyone is in distress or having suicidal tendencies, please reach out to TeleMANAS at 1-8008914416 or 14416, NIMHANS at 080-26685948, 9480829670, or SAHAI at 080-25497777 or +91-9886444075.)