Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa has ordered a probe into the alleged discrepancies in payment of crop insurance to farmers in Shikaripur and Sorab taluks.
B.Y. Raghavendra, MLA from Shikaripur, raised the issue at a review meeting held in the city on Monday. He said in many cases, the loss has been assessed by officials of Agriculture/Revenue/Horticulture Departments without conducting a spot visit, and as a result, paltry sums have been handed out.
Mr. Raghavendra said that though the tahshildar of Shikaripur taluk had recommended the suspension of assistant horticulture officer Ranganath and village accountant Sharanaiah for their negligence on this matter, no action has been taken. Mr. Thimmappa directed Deputy Commissioner V.P. Ikkeri to take immediately initiate disciplinary action against both officials. It was also decided at the meeting that to ensure transparency in crop loss assessment, officials would from now on take along elected representatives, including members of the local gram panchayat, when going for spot inspection The elected representatives who spoke at the meeting complained that though the Union government has slashed the price of fertilisers, the benefit has not reached a major chunk of farmers as many dealers are still selling the products at the old prices.
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Mr. Thimmappa asked Agriculture Department officials to conduct raids on outlets that sell agricultural inputs and initiate stern action against dealers selling products at inflated rates.
He added that the price of fertilisers should be displayed in front of the outlets, and at gram panchayats and Raitha Samparka Kendras.