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Centre biased against Karnataka: Farmers’ body

The state is reeling under the worst drought in 42 years and for past few months the state government has been sending delegations to drought-hit areas and to Delhi to get relief from the central government.

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The farmers in the state, under the aegis of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) have alleged that the central government has been biased against Karnataka while providing  drought relief.

The state is reeling under the worst drought in 42 years and for past few months the state government has been sending delegations to drought-hit areas and to Delhi to get relief from the central government.

Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has allocated Rs 450 crore to drought hits states — Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan, but farmers say this was not enough. According to the KRRS leader, Kodihalli Chandrashekar, “Karnataka has been cheated of at least Rs500 crore. The central government has given larger amounts to the other states and has been unfair to Karnataka,” he said. He demanded that the central government should reinvestigate the drought situation in the state and provide appropriate amount.

As for diesel subsidy that the central government had advanced for farmers, Chandrashekar said it will not be of much use to farmers, if the scheme is only for a few months. “When schemes are introduced only for a few months, it will not be beneficial for us. For instance, farmers may buy diesel pumpsets, because of the subsidy, but in order to use it, he will have to spend more than a lakh to dig a bore. If in a few months the government withdraws the subsidy, there is no point in it,” he said.

The KRRS leader demanded that all government schemes introduced for farmers should be made permanent, till such a time when the farmers are able to get scientific pricing for their products. “Once farmers are able to get scientific pricing, we will not need any benefits from the government,” he added.

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