The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Find solution: Kumaraswamy

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Tuesday, Jun 24, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Find solution: Kumaraswamy

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday launched a scathing attack on the State Government over the fertilizer shortage and urged the Government to find a lasting solution.

Participating in a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on the fertilizer crisis and suicide by farmers, the Janata Dal (Secular) leader referred to the contradictory statements of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa blaming the Union Government for the short supply of fertilizers to the State. “The Chief Minister is speaking one thing in New Delhi and another in Bangalore. He holds the UPA Government responsible in Bangalore while simultaneously mentioning that the State has adequate stock of fertilizers.”

With reference Mr. Yeddyurappa’s contention that the Opposition parties were attempting to derive political mileage from the fertilizer shortage, Mr. Kumaraswamy said it was the BJP Government that was up to such a game. The State had experienced fertilizer shortages over the past three years and two previous coalition governments did well in meeting the demands of farmers. “The present Government is yet to take a positive step in solving the fertiliser crisis.”

‘Panic among farmers’

The fertilizer crisis had added another dimension in that the number of suicides by farmers had registered a new high this month. “It is obvious that the fertilizer shortage has created panic among the farmers, who are already in debt,” he said.

Quoting official records, Mr. Kumaraswamy said there were serious doubts bout the police firing in Haveri on June 10 in which a farmer died. There are reports that the firearm of a police officer was snatched and used to fire at farmers. “Holding videoconferences with district officials will not yield results,” he said.

The former Minister H.D. Revanna and B.C. Patil, Haveri MLA, spoke.

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