Farm workers migrating due to drought, says Shettar

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar on Tuesday claimed that there is an exodus of agricultural labourers from drought-hit pockets of the state.

Shettar told reporters in Bengaluru that the government has turned a blind eye to their plight and is only focussing on fighting the byelections in Nanjangud and Gundlupet.

He charged that drought relief work has come to a standstill in the state. The Centre has so far released Rs 1,675 crore in two installments but the state government has failed to utilise it, he said.

District incharge ministers who should have been monitoring drought relief work, including ensuring drinking water, fodder for animals and employment for agricultural labourers, were focusing their energies on the byelections, Shettar said. He said the government’s decision to constitute task forces to address drinking water shortage will not solve the problem.