Cong raps K'taka Govt for 'anti-farmer' policies

Bangalore, June 29 (UNI) Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Mallikarjuna Kharge today charged the coalition government in Karnataka with adopting 'anti-farmer' policies and neglecting the farm sector which needed maximum attention.

Addressing a gathering of the Youth Congress workers on the occasion of new office-bearers assuming office, Mr Kharge alleged that the JD(S)-BJP Government was shedding crocodile tears for the farmers and was favouring 'anti-agriculturist policies.' The state government had reduced the Budgetary support for the irrigation sector in the state from 29 per cent when the Congress Government was in power to 17 per cent. It also failed to take advantage of the 'Vidharbha-model' Farmers Package announced by the Centre, he claimed and said even after one-year, the state government was yet to formulate action plan to utilise the Central funds.

The Employment Guarantee Act, a scheme intended to provide job in five districts of the state, was also being neglected and people were seen migrating in large numbers to other states in search of employment and livelihood.

Coming down heavily on Former Prime Minsiter H D Deve Gowda, the Congress leader accused the JD(S) leaders for being engaged in dividing the society by coining 'Internal Reservation.' MORE UNI