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Farmers to take out 'padayatra' from KRS

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE FEB. 12. The Mandya Zilla Raitha Hitharakshana Samithi today decided to take out a "padayatra" from Krishna Raja Sagar reservoir to Bangalore between March 15 and 20, seeking assistance for farmers affected by the drought-like situation in Mysore and Mandya districts. The date of commencement of the padayatra will be finalised at a meeting on February 28.

Addressing presspersons in Mandya town, the President of the samithi and former Mandya MP, G. Made Gowda, said farmers had decided to take out the padayatra to press for their demands. The samithi was against any violent demonstrations that could cause loss to life and property, he added.

Mr. Gowda said the demands included a permanent resolution of the dispute over Cauvery waters between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, waiver of crop loans, compensation for crop losses, jobs for agricultural labourers, and fresh crop loans for the next sowing season.

He said the samithi, at the meeting today, considered the statement of the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, assuring farmers that crops would be protected and water supplied for domestic consumption. There was no water in the reservoir, and how could the Government make the promise, he asked.

The President of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), K.S. Puttanaiah, said that while only 7 or 8 tmcft. of water was available in the four reservoirs of the Cauvery Basin, nearly 20 tmcft. of water was required to meet the drinking water requirement till May and save crops. He added that water was needed to irrigate nearly 60,000 acres of land.

He said banks had taken up a campaign for loan recovery from farmers. He demanded that seizure of tractors and implements be stopped.

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