Members of the Karnataka Prantha Raita Sangha (KPRS) on Monday picketed the tahsildar’s office in Jewargi town in Kalaburagi district demanding that the State government waive crop loans availed by farmers from nationalised banks and cooperative societies.
Taluk president of the Sangha Subhash Hosamani, in a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, demanded that crop loans up to Rs. 2 lakh be waived.
They also wanted a compensation of Rs. 15,000 per acre up to five acres of land for each farmer who lost their crops due to deficient rainfall, and urged the government to take up drought-relief works in Jewargi taluk.
Pension benefits
Mr. Hosamani urged the government to increase the amount given under Sandhya Suraksha Pension Scheme, an old-age pension and disability scheme, from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,000 per month.
He said the Food and Civil Supplies division should provide ration cards within 30 days from the date of application and allow each card-holder to buy 50 kg of rice, 10 kg of wheat and 5 kg of sugar.
He demanded construction of public toilets and urged the government to take up road works and provide other basic amenities in the villages of Jewargi.
