Karnataka   

Farm workers oppose riders on free power

DAVANGERE: The Krushi Coolikarara Sangha (Agricultural Workers’ Association) has strongly opposed the two conditions put forth by the State Government regarding providing free electricity to irrigation pumpsets all over the State, saying that it smelt foul play in the scheme.

Speaking to presspersons at Harpanahalli on Sunday, Nityanandaswamy, president of the sangha, said the State Government had put forth two conditions if farmers were to get free power for their pumpsets. They were: compulsory installation of meters and settlement of outstanding dues.

He questioned the need for installing meters especially when the Government had decided to offer farmers free power. The installation called for “huge expenditure,” he said and added that it would be an unnecessary burden both on farmers and the Government.

Farmers were living in miserable conditions owing to natural calamities in the past three years, Mr. Nityanandaswamy said. Under these circumstances, it was not fair to ask them to pay pending bills.

He said the two conditions had led farmers and agricultural workers to doubt the Government’s motives, and asked whether it was planning on privatising the power sector.

“If the Government is genuinely concerned about the welfare of farmers and agricultural workers, it should offer electricity free of cost without stipulating unnecessary conditions,” he said.

Referring to the promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party in its election manifesto, Mr. Nityanandaswamy said the party had said it would distribute rice to the poor at Rs. 2 a kg. But the Chief Minister was conveniently tight-lipped about this, he added.

Mr. Nityanandaswamy also alleged that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme had not been implemented effectively in the State, as a result of which people involved in agriculture were deprived of work. The very purpose of the scheme, which was to stop the rural poor from migrating in search of greener pastures, had been defeated, he said. “The Union Government should send a team of officials and probe the alleged misuse of funds under the scheme,” he added.

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