The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Muniyappa opposes metering of IP sets

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Muniyappa opposes metering of IP sets

Special Correspondent

Says the move is not in the interests of farmers

Wants revolving fund corpus raised to Rs. 1,000 crore
100 per cent subsidy sought for drip irrigation

Bangalore: The former Minister V. Muniyappa is not in favour of irrigation pumpsets being metered.

Speaking on the State Budget in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the Congress leader said that while the Government’s move to supply free power to irrigation pumpsets of up to 10 hp capacity was welcome, the proposal to install meters for all pumpsets was not in the interests of farmers. “The Government obviously has a motive for such a move,” he said.

Mr. Muniyappa welcomed the move to provide a Rs. 500-crore revolving fund for market intervention. The fund will be used to purchase agricultural produce in the event of a glut, and the produce will be sold when prices stabilises. “It will be appreciated if the Government raises the revolving fund to Rs. 1,000 crore over a period of time,” he said.

The Government should provide 100 per cent subsidy for drip irrigation, particularly in Kolar district where rainfall is scanty (700 mm a year) and farmers are dependant on borewells. The water-table in the districts has gone down to 1,000 feet in certain pockets, he said.

Mr. Muniyappa thanked the Government for reducing the interest rate on farm loans taken from cooperatives to three per cent and said the Government should also urge nationalised banks to extend farm loans at three per cent interest.

He also appreciated the Government’s move to provide an incentive of Rs. 2 a litre of milk to dairy farmers. However, there were reports that the Karnataka Milk Federation was thinking of reducing the procurement price. The Government should prevent such a step, which was against the interests of dairy farmers, he added.

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