Bengaluru, July 29 (IANS) Karnataka BJP teams are visiting drought-prone areas across the state and have demanded that the state government immediately declare a drought.
Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka said, “Despite farmers in the state facing severe distress due to rainfall shortage, the Congress government has so far not declared a drought and is toying with the lives of farmers.”
After visiting various areas of Davangere district as part of a drought study tour and listening to farmers’ problems, Ashoka told reporters a statewide drought study is being conducted by the BJP, and a comprehensive report on farmers’ problems is being prepared.
In the legislature session beginning on August 13, the issues of drought declaration, relief to farmers, and Cauvery water sharing will be raised prominently. If the government does not take immediate pro-farmer measures, a fierce struggle will be launched both inside and outside the Assembly, warned Ashoka.
He stated that although the drought situation in the state is serious, the government has taken no action. Without the state government declaring a drought, it is not possible to get relief from the central government. Crop insurance companies will also not release compensation. Farmers are appealing for a drought declaration first so that at least crop insurance can be obtained.
Ashoka criticised that even two months after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar assumed office, no noteworthy achievements have been made. “Those who should be touring the state and listening to farmers’ problems are instead spending time in Delhi,” he said.
“Rainfall shortage in the state is severe: 44 per cent in Malnad, 35 per cent in the coastal region, 33 per cent in the northern interior, and 31 per cent in the southern interior. In Davangere and Chitradurga districts, only 19 per cent of sowing has taken place, and the remaining 81 per cent has not been sown. Several crops, including sunflower, have been completely damaged. Plants in arecanut gardens have dried up, and the government announcing only Rs 16 as compensation for a plant that takes five years to grow is an insult to farmers. The government is reluctant to declare a drought only because the state treasury is empty,” he said.
In the last two months, 31 farmers in the state have committed suicide. In the three years since the Congress government came to power, about 2,800 farmers have taken their lives. In 2025–26 alone, 787 farmer suicide cases have been registered, he noted.
“The state government must first declare a drought and release relief as per SDRF norms, and then seek central assistance. It is not right for the government to shirk its responsibility and blame the central government. In the interest of farmers, compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre should be given. For damaged coconut and arecanut trees, Rs 10,000 per tree should be provided. Rs 50 crore should be released for each assembly constituency, a task force formed at the local level, and relief work undertaken. Transport of fodder from the state to other states should be stopped, and steps taken to make fodder available for cattle,” he demanded.
Ashoka also said a white paper on the state’s financial situation should be released. Due to pending dues of thousands of crores of rupees under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, old-age pension, widow pension, milk subsidy, and several other schemes, the government is reluctant to declare a drought, he alleged.
–IANS
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