HDK announces 25,000 per hectre compensation

Chamarajanagara (Karnataka), May 28: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today announced compensation of Rs 25,000 per hectare to the sugar cane farmers who suffered loss following refusal by the sugar factories to lift the sugar cane.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that despite taking various welfare measures to protect the interests of the farmers, including waiving off loan, reduction in interest rates, farmers are continuing to take extreme step.

He said that the loan waiver, ban on liquor and ban on sale of lotteries has costed the state exchequer to the tune of Rs 4,500 crores. "Government want to further help the farmers and downtrodden but lack of funds coming in the way," he added.

Speaking after laying foundation stone for various welfare works to be taken up in the District at a total cost of Rs 369 Crores, Mr Kumaraswamy assured to tune up the complete administration in the district to enable to make the District as one of the best in the State.

He said that his visit was not only to remove the jinx attached to the District but also to fulfill the commitment of the government and also to take up development works in the District which had been lagging since last 10 years.

Mr Kumaraswamy became the first Chief Minister to visit the Chamarajanagar district after a gap of 17 years. Virendra Patil was the last Chief Minister to visit the district in 1990. He said that, despite various political pressure, he paid the visit to remove wrong notion in the minds of the people that any Chief Minister who visits the districts loses his post.

Referring to the long pending demand of Kabini II stage Lift Irrigation project, he said that he would convene a meeting shortly to discuss the issue.

He said that 26 villages in Chamarajanagara has been selected for overall development under 'Suvarna Gramodaya' at a total cost of Rs 1000 Crore.

Referring to Housing problems in rural areas, the Chief Minister suggested to the officials to change the rules according to present need. The government proposes to construct Six to Eight lakh houses in rural areas for poor and downtrodden, he added.

He said that Tribals can live in forests provided they wont indulge in destroying the forest wealth.

Mr Kumaraswamy said that "there was no two opinion on transfer of power to BJP in October. However, if my fate is good I may continue as Chief Minister for two more years." Minister for Kannada and Culture H S Mahadev Prasad appealed to the Chief Minister to sanction the Rs 102 Crore drinking water facility to cover 297 villages in Chamarajanagar District.

The Chief Minister also laid foundation stone for a Research and Development Centre in agriculture to be built on 45 acre land under 'Lab to Land Scheme.'

UNI

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