KRSS slams Central,state govts on farmers' suicides

Hubli, Karnataka, July 21 (UNI) Karnataka Rajya Ryot Sangh (KRRS) Chief K S Puttannaiah today criticized both the Union and Karnataka Governments of neglecting the majority of farming community by failing to find 'basic reason' for farmer suicides.

Talking to newsmen here, he said it was a shame on the part of the governments for neglecting farming community though around 13,000 farmers in the state and 1.30 lakh in the country ''had committed suicide.'' Stressing the need for a separate agricultural policy in the country, Mr Puttannaiah said electricity and water should be brought under priority sector.

The present packages and loan waivers announced or implemented failed to stop the farmers from taking the extreme step. The governments should search basic reasons for the suicides.

He also stressed the need for classification of dry land agriculture and said K C Reddy and Paramashivappa reports on drought and irrigation should be implemented. An allocation of Rs 1000 crore in the budget for agriculture was a must.

Mr Puttannaiah, who visited both Nargund and Navalgund Towns and paid homage to the farmers killed in the police firing in 1980 on this day, said KRRS would pay an assistance of Rs 10,000 each to the families of five farmers killed in the police firing.

The farmers would hold a convention here and pass resolutions for the government to consider failing which agitation would be inevitable.

Replying to a question, Mr Puttannaiah said farmers of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu would meet in Chennai for two days from July 30 and try to settle the 'Cauvery issue' through dialogue.

'It's impossible on the part of state governments to settle the issue. Hence this attempt,' he added.

UNI