Radio talk won't end farmers' woes: Shettar

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should understand that making a lofty speech on farmer suicides on Akashvani won’t help solving farmers’ woes. He should take urgent steps to distribute adequate compensation to the kin of deceased farmers, said, Leadr of Opposition Jagadish Shettar.

He said this to reporters at G Kodihalli in Hagaribommanahalli taluk of Ballary district after distributing a compensation of Rs 25,000 to the family members of Ningappa Hirilingappanavar, a farmer who committed suicide recently due to crop loss.

The ruling Congress and the officials are delaying the process of distributing compensation citing the rules and the norms. Speedy distribution of compensation will help the family members of the deceased farmers. The chief minister should instruct the officials in this regard, Shettar said.

The former chief minister said the farmers are disheartened. The government should take steps to instil confidence in farmers by announcing a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family members of the deceased farmers and loan-waiver schemes. The government should waive off farm-loans and interest up to Rs 2 lakh. he added. Shettar further said that over 75 farmers have ended their lives in the State in the past one and a half month. But the government has distributed compensation to just 10 families, he added.