HASSAN: Former Chairman of the Legislative Council V.R. Sudarshan on Friday said the Congress would be forced to protest against the "dictatorial attitude" of Janata Dal (Secular) leaders towards the Opposition parties in the district.

Mr. Sudarshan and former MP Sanadi visited the drought-hit areas in Hassan district and reviewed the steps taken by the authorities to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

Addressing presspersons here, he said 75 per cent of the crop cultivated in Arsikere, Channarayapatna and Belur taluks had been damaged owing to the failure of monsoon. The loss had been estimated at Rs. 22 crore.

He urged the State Government to release a matching grant for Rs. 398 crore released by the Centre to provide compensation to farmers.

Delay

He said the delay in settling crop insurance claims of farmers for 2005-06 had aggravated the situation in the district. Referring to the decision of the Government to accept premiums amounting to Rs. 11. 54 crore by 53,373 farmers even after the deadline, he said that it had an obligation to compensate farmers.

Appreciating the Rs. 2,689.64 crore, (including an interest waiver of Rs. 209.81 crore) rehabilitation package approved by the Union Cabinet recently, he alleged that the State Government had no courtesy to acknowledge the support extended by the Centre. Reacting to a reported statement of Deputy Chief Minister Yediyurappa accusing the Congress of obstructing development works by raising "irrelevant" issues, he said the Congress was doing its duty and it need not learn from Mr. Yediyurappa.

On Mr. Yediyurappa's statement against the memorandum submitted by Congress leaders to

President Abdul Kalam, he said it showed the Deputy Chief Minister's immaturity. The Government was yet to pay compensation to the kin of those who died at Tubinakere after drinking illicit liquor last year.

The Deputy Commissioner had submitted a report to the Government recommending compensation to the kin of the victims.

The issue would be referred to the "petition committee" of the Council and the Assembly, he said.

Frustrated

Referring to the recent murders at Nallur, he alleged that neither the officials nor the district in-charge Minister visited the village. The people were frustrated with the "dictatorial attitude" of JD(S) leaders and had elected a Congress candidate in the recent election to the zilla panchayat, he claimed.

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