Government has Failed to Boost Confidence among Farmers – Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde
Udupi: “The Congress government in the state has failed to boost confidence among the farmers”, said Mattar Rathnakar Hegde. He was speaking at a protest staged against the state government in front of the Clock Tower here on March 9.
100 farmers have committed suicide in 45 days, the suicide cases in a year have risen to 1500 following crop loss and loans. The government seems to be reluctant in addressing the issues of the farmers even during the drought. The district in-charge ministers have failed in addressing the problems of drought affected areas in their districts.
The central government has released rupees 1782 crores as drought relief but the state government has shown reluctance in receiving the funds. The central government has released Rs 450 crores as the first installment but Minister for Revenue has said the government has released only Rs 200 crores to farmers. Farmers are losing faith in the government which has failed to address the issues of farmers. The government as part of boosting up confidence among the farmers have to waive their loans, he said.
Bharatiya Janata Party demands, the supply of drinking water to areas having water scarcity. The drought relief has to be effectively distributed to the farmers. Fodder has to be distributed for the livestock, cow shelters have to be built. The farmers affected by drought and also the daily wage laborers should be provided with employment under the employment guarantee scheme.
The Udupi district is facing sand scarcity despite having sand in abundance, the government should formulate a sand mining code. The 94C and 94CC applications of the district should be processed effectively. The rectification in RTC and also surveying process should be initiated without delay, he added.
ZP President Dinakar Babu, Uday Kumar Shetty, Yaspal Suvarna, TP President Nalini Pradeep and others were present.
Return the gobbled up public land, dear Mattaru.