Seeking steps to speed up drought relief works, members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Hasiru Sene staged a protest outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad here on Thursday.
KRRS district vice-president Nagappa Undi, farmers’ leaders B.S. Soppin and B.M. Hanasi were present.
They took exception to the failure of the State government in tackling drought, especially the problems in rural areas.
Goshalas
Despite acute shortage of fodder, no ‘goshalas’ had been being opened forcing farmers to sell their cattle. The farmers were forced to migrate to other parts of State and neighbouring States in search of job, they said.
Mr. Nagappa Undi said that it was the worst drought in last 20 years and both Union and State governments were apathetic towards the people’s plight.
CM criticised
He criticised the tour of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and asked him to visit rural areas instead of just relying on the false statistics given by the officials and holding review meetings.
Another farmers’ leader pointed out that despite repeated pleas, farm loans had not been waived and no fresh loans were being given to farmers.
After the demonstration, they submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister to the district authorities.
