Former Minister M.P. Renukacharya and former MLA Belur Gopalakrishna on Thursday demanded compensation for arecanut growers in Davangere district. The farmers had lost their crops to fruit rot disease last year.
They alleged that the State government has not conducted a proper survey of flood-affected areas in the district to ascertain damage of crops.
Addressing presspersons here, Mr. Renukacharya said the government has released a compensation of Rs. 3.5 crore to arecanut growers in Davangere as against the sanctioned amount of Rs. 22 crore.
Although, Minister of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda visited Davangere recently, he did not hold a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner and officials of the Revenue, Agriculture and Horticulture departments, they said. Mr. Renukacharya sought a joint survey by senior officials of Revenue, Agriculture and Horticulture departments in the flood-hit areas.
Mr. Belur Gopalakrishna said farmers in Soppinagudda in Sagara constituency have been served eviction notice. “Kagodu Thimmappa, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, who represents the area, is silent over the issue,” he alleged.
