K'taka Govt spends Rs 64 cr for providing seed subsidy

Bangalore, June 27 (UNI) The Karnataka Government has spent over Rs 64.16 crore for providing subsidy to small and marginal farmers to purchase quality seeds during the current khariff season, Agriculture Minister Bandeppa Kashempur informed the Legislative Council today.

Replying to a question raised by Dr M P Nada Gouda (JD-U) during question hour, he said the Government was providing 75 per cent subsidy to the farmers. Though the Government had earmarked a budgetary support of Rs 40 crore for the purpose for 2006-07, it had distributed over Rs 64 crore so far. The Government would not turn down those farmers who were yet to avail the subsidy, he added.

The Minister said the previous Government had earmarked Rs 56 crore for giving seed subsidy during 2005-06, but distributed only Rs 28 crore. The present JD(S)-BJP coalition Government had prepared a plan to distribute the seeds well in advance.

Intervening, Leader of the Opposition H K Patil objected to the Government not providing 100 per cent subsidy and demanded that there be no ceiling on supply of seeds, to which the Minister agreed.

Congress members D Made Gowda, V S Ugrappa, S R Patil and Pratap Chandra Shetty, BJP's Aravinda Limbavali and Vimala Gowda also participated in the discussion.

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