Finance firms warned against harassing farmers

Sandur (Ballari district): Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has warned microfinance agents against harassing farmers, who are reeling under acute drought and directed deputy commissioners to book such agents and their firms if there are any complaints.He was interacting with farmers in Bandri village of Chorunur hobli in Sandur taluk after visiting a couple of fields in the taluk to assess the drought situation on Wednesday.To mitigate the food crisis, rice, ragi and other food grains will be imported from other states, Parameshwara said.Earlier, he visited farmer Dhruva Kumar’s field in Bandri village, where he inspected maize and tur fields and assessed the extent of damage due to rain deficit.Central govt team assesses drought situation in Chamarajanagar, GundlupetDuring the interaction, one of the farmers, Nagaraj, pointed out that since the taluk was witnessing severe drought, many people are migrating to far-off places in search of food and jobs. Although there is VB G RAM G to prevent migration, its certain clauses are restrictive. “These clauses need to be eased and enhance human days of work and also the wages,” he demanded.Another farmer, Mallesh, appealed to DyCM Parameshwara to initiate measures to fill up all lakes and tanks in Sandur taluk with Tungabhadra water to help livestock. The farmers urged him to deposit the crop insurance amount at the earliest, as farmers have suffered crop loss and set up ‘go shalas’ and fodder banks for livestock. They also urged power supply to pumpsets.“The state government has submitted a proposal seeking drought relief to the centre. Every farmer in the state will be given Rs 2,500 as drought relief and Rs 1,250 crore has been provided to about 50 lakh farmers as drought relief,” informed the deputy chief minister.Deputy Commissioner Nagendra Prasad, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Haris Sumair and Tahsildar Anil Kumar G and others were present.In KudligiEarlier, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara assessed the drought situation in Shivapura village next to National Highway-50 in Kudligi taluk of Vijayanagara district. Before this, he had visited Talebasapura Tanda in Hosapete taluk. He inspected the maize crop that had withered due to rain deficit.District In-charge Minister Basavanthappa, MLA Srinivas N T, Deputy Commissioner Kavitha S Mannikeri, ZP CEO Garima Panwar, SP Jahnavi S and others were present.Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara inspects a field with withered crops in Bandri village of Sandur taluk on Wednesday.

Source: Deccan Herald