Opposition urges government to take urgent measures

Bangalore, July 5 (UNI) Accusing the government of failing to take prompt action, leader of opposition in Karnataka Assembly N Dharam Singh today urged the government to take urgent measures to overcome the grave situation arising out of the drought and flood in the state.

Initiating discussion after Speaker Krishna converted the notice on an adjournment motion as a matter of urgent public importance, Mr Singh said it was a massive failure on part of the government to take up rehabilitation packages to protect the interest of the farming community.

He said the entire opposition was ready to cooperate with the coalition government in solving the problems of the farmers and even will to lead a delegation to the Centre if it desired for more assistance in this regard.

Stating that the government had so far not utilised the funds received from the Centre and not prepared any action plan he said Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy should stay away from the Gram Vatsavyaa and conduct his official work from the Vidhan Soudha to reach out to more number of people.

He criticised the grama vastavyas by the Chief Minister as they had no concrete impact on the people of the state.

Mr Siddaramaiah (Congress) took serious note of the government's inaction in releasing funds for taking up relief works for the victims of flood and drought.

Nearly 75 per cent of the farmers had to rely on the cooperative crop loans and if the government was not in a position to provide fresh loans as it had not funded the Apex Bank for disbursing it would further reduce the agriculture production, he added.

J C Madhuswamy JD(U) blamed the government for not taking up action for the protection of environment, watershed programmes, ground water recharge and soil erosion protection.

Vatal Nagaraj (Vatal Kannada Cheluvali Paksha) demanded 'White Paper' on the implementation of Nanjundppa report for removal of regional imbalance. The government had no moral right to remain in power if it could not stop the increasing suicides by the farmers, he added.

UNI