The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Farmers did not get proper help: Deve Gowda

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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Farmers did not get proper help: Deve Gowda

Special Correspondent

‘Officials did not take steps to reach
relief to farmers’
Hassan administration has sought relief of
Rs. 25,000 each for potato farmers

BANGALORE: Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Deve Gowda has expressed concern over the “carelessness” shown by the Government in reaching help to farmers in the State in general, and Hassan district in particular.

In a letter sent to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, he said that farmers had landed in deep trouble because the Chief Minister had been away, on a tour of the United States. The officials had not taken any steps for reaching relief to the farmers, he alleged.

Mr. Gowda said potato farmers in Hassan district had incurred a loss of over Rs. 100 crore. “Over 65,000 hectares of land in the State, which is under potato cultivation, has been affected. Of this, 40,000 hectares of land is in Hassan district. Many farmers have taken loans. Potato is one of the most important commercial crops in the State and hence the crop loss will make an impact on the farmers,” he said. Mr. Gowda said that potato farmers had lost hope of getting crop insurance. He said he had toured Hassan district twice and studied the problem. “The district administration has sent a report to the Government recommending relief of Rs. 25,000 each for potato farmers. Commercial crops such as coffee, ginger and sugarcane, had also been affected, he said.

Appreciating the Chief Minister’s gesture in donating Rs. 10 crore for flood-hit Bihar, Mr. Gowda said the Government should try to alleviate the problems of people in the State. He suggested that a team comprising officials of all departments, headed by the Chief Secretary, tour Hassan.

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