Karnataka - Hassan   

Relief: Gowda to adopt ‘wait and watch’ policy

HASSAN: Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has said he will adopt a “wait and watch” policy on the issue of compensation to farmers as he “does not wish for political conflict” on the matter.

“The Janata Dal (S) will politicise the issue when absolutely necessary,” he added.

Addressing presspersons after a meeting with elected representatives and farmers’ leaders here on Monday, he said he would raise the issue at the appropriate time in Parliament.

Mr. Gowda said he had directed the Deputy Commissioner to make a list of small and marginal farmers who had cultivated potato. The details of farmers cultivating other crops would also be taken.

The Deputy Commissioner would be submitting the list in three days. “Using this list, I will write to the Prime Minister seeking adequate compensation,” he said.

Farmers’ leader Manjunatha Datta criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress and the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha for boycotting the meeting. “This is the time when people cutting across party lines should fight for farmers’ rights.”

He regretted that everything was being politicised in Hassan.

Mr. Datta said that every year farmers grew potato and ended up losing the crop due to blight. “Whatever seeds are given by traders is accepted and not checked.

Every year, farmers wait for compensation and if it is not announced, they commit suicide.

Mr. Datta blamed the officials of the district administration for not taking action against traders supplying spurious seed potato.

He said politicians were not safeguarding the interests of farmers.Hassan district Krishi Samaj president Veere Gowda was present.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Donating blood is his mission
Gowda discusses progress of schemes
Relief: Gowda to adopt ‘wait and watch’ policy
Clash averted in Sakleshpur
Third Front will meet in September, says Deve Gowda
Temple celebrations

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu