Deve Gowda demands compensation for flood, drought-hit farmers

Bangalore, Sep 6 (UNI) Janata Dal(S) President H D Deve Gowda today urged the BJP-ruled government in Karnataka to announce compensation for the farmers who had suffered huge losses either due to scanty rainfall or the deluge following heavy rainfall in different areas in the state.

In a letter to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, he said lakhs of farmers were in deep distress as they had lost their crops due to both drought-like conditions and excessive rainfall. They suffered losses at the cost of losing their livestock and homes in floods and heavy rain.

''I appreciate that you have announced help to the flood-affected people in Bihar. But it is time you come to the rescue of the farmers in Karnataka,'' he said.

Making a special mention of the farm losses in his home district of Hassan, Mr Gowda said farmers growing potato had incurred huge losses due to pests and drastic fall in prices.

Out of the 65,000 hectares of potato grown in the state, Hassan accounted for 40,000 hectares, he claimed.

''I urge the Chief Minister to announce compensation of Rs 25,000 per hectare of potato crop lost as per the report submitted by the district administration,'' he said.

Apart from potato, crops like sugarcane, ginger, ragi, paddy, banana, arecanut, coffee, pepper, tobacco and chilly had been affected in the state and the government should act immediately to help the farmers, he added.

UNI RS AKM SBC RK1730