State BJP president and Chief Minister candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa has said that he would dedicate his entire life for the welfare of farmers in the State as they are in deep trouble owing to frequent drought and crop loss.
Speaking at a farmers convention organised by the Davangere district unit of the BJP to mark his 75th birthday celebrations at the High School Grounds here on Tuesday, he said that there are plans to spend a total of ₹ 1 lakh crore for completing irrigation projects in the State and make sincere efforts to solve the Mahadayi issue if the BJP comes to power in the coming Assembly elections.
Though there is permission to increase the height of Almatti dam gates up to 524 ft, the State government has not taken any steps to do this. If the BJP comes to power in the coming Assembly elections, the gates of the dam would be increased to 524 ft from 519 ft, he added.
Efforts would be made to construct more number of cold storages to protect fruits and vegetables grown by farmers and also clear pending sugarcane bills of farmers in different factories, he said. “Since more than 3,700 farmers have committed suicide in the State in last five years, the BJP would make sincere efforts to ensure more compensation to these families of farmers and concrete measures would be taken to stop farmers from committing suicide,” he added.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council K.S. Eshwarappa said that law and order in the State had completely deteriorated under the Congress rule. “Even after getting all proof, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has not ordered a probe into the matter as has plans to protect Congress leaders and their sons,” he said.
MLA C.T. Ravi said that farmers and the common man are fed up with the failure of Congress government on all fronts and they would teach them a befitting lesson to that party in the coming Assembly elections. Farmers and people should extend their support to the BJP as it has drawn up plans to complete all irrigation projects and launch better schemes for the welfare of women and children.
Davangere MP G.M. Siddeshwar said that Mr. Yeddyurappa, during his tenure as Chief Minister, had presented a budget for farmers; this clearly shows his concern for farmers. During his recent 74-day Parivartana Yatra, Mr. Yeddyurappa covered a total of 224 Assembly segments and spoke to more than 1.5 crore people. This would play a crucial role in bringing the party to power again to serve farmers and the common man better, he added.
MP B. Sriramulu, the former Minister Arvind Limbavali, MP Shobha Karandlaje, MP Pralhad Joshi and the former Minister Govind Karjol were present.
