Opposition Leader Ashok Demands Drought Declaration, Immediate Relief for Karnataka Farmers

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashok, on Thursday accused the state government of failing to respond effectively to the worsening drought situation and demanded immediate drought declaration, enhanced compensation for affected farmers, and urgent release of irrigation water from the Tungabhadra reservoir.

After inspecting drought-hit agricultural fields in Shidaginamola and Karekallu villages in Sandur taluk, Mr. Ashok interacted with farmers who complained of crop failure, shortage of drinking water for cattle, delays in crop insurance settlements, and mounting financial distress.

Mr. Ashok alleged that despite severe drought conditions, no comprehensive field survey had been carried out by district officials. He stated that neither the Deputy Commissioner nor the tahsildar or Agriculture Department officials had visited these villages until now. He also claimed that local legislators had ignored the area for three years and that the district in-charge Minister had not been seen.

Taking a swipe at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Mr. Ashok said farmers were battling drought, crop damage, and pest attacks while the Chief Minister was occupied with political events, including the protests by the 'Cockroach Janata Party' in New Delhi. He alleged that the new government had failed to provide any visible direction since assuming office two months ago.

Mr. Ashok claimed that reservoirs, the state treasury, and farmers' lands had all been depleted under the present government and questioned the delay in constituting the Council of Ministers. He noted that departments such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, and Animal Husbandry were still functioning without ministers.

He also criticised the government for not officially declaring drought despite deteriorating conditions across several districts. He urged the state government to immediately notify drought-affected areas, send official teams for field assessment, and initiate measures to prevent distress migration.

The BJP leader demanded that the government release ₹50 crore for every Assembly constituency affected by drought, provide compensation of ₹50,000 per acre to farmers who had suffered crop losses, undertake scientific cloud-seeding operations, and waive crop loans up to ₹1 lakh. He warned that the BJP would intensify its agitation if the demands were not met and said farmers across the state would stage protests on their fields if drought was not declared by August 3.

Highlighting the irrigation crisis, Mr. Ashok said farmers in the Tungabhadra command area had sown crops but were unable to save them because water from the Tungabhadra Dam was not released for irrigation despite adequate storage. He announced that BJP leaders, including MLAs G. Janardhana Reddy and former minister B. Sriramulu, would lead a padayatra from Anjanadri Hills in Koppal district to the Tungabhadra Dam on July 31, culminating in a protest outside the Tungabhadra Command Area Development Authority office demanding immediate release of water to farmers.

He also challenged the government to issue a white paper on the state's financial position, alleging that pension payments had been delayed for three months and that nearly 20 lakh ration cards were being cancelled due to financial constraints. 'If the treasury is financially sound, let the government place the facts before the people,' he said.

Referring to the Cauvery dispute, Mr. Ashok said the Tungabhadra was equally important for north Karnataka and assured that the BJP would strongly raise the issue during the forthcoming Assembly session.

During his interaction with farmers, several cultivators alleged that compensation under the crop insurance scheme rarely reached them despite paying premiums every year. They also complained that officials visited villages only during VIP visits and expressed concern over dust pollution from sponge iron factories.