The Opposition parties of Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) on Friday asked the State government to exert pressure on the Centre to declare the COVID-19 pandemic a “national disaster” and seek a special package of ₹50,000 crore for the State.
Congress and JD(S) leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president-designate D.K. Shivakumar, H.D. Revanna, and H.K. Kumaraswamy, attended an all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa at his home office and submitted a charter of 24 demands to the State government for ensuring speedy recovery of the economy, which is in distress owing to the lockdown. Representatives of farmers’ organisations also attended the meeting.
The Opposition dubbed as “too little” the government’s ₹1,610-crore package announced on Wednesday for various sections of the unorganised sector. It urged the State government to announce a special package of ₹10,000 crore for providing impetus to MSMEs and ensuring job creation. It demanded waiver of three months’ worth of interest on loans borrowed by MSMEs from banks and financial institutions.
Besides seeking relief of ₹10,000 to all organised and unorganised workers, including photographers, artistes and migrants, during the lockdown, the Opposition leaders suggested that the government deliver 10 kg of rice, milk and other essential commodities to BPL families even if they do not have BPL cards.
Noting the difficulties faced by farmers, the Congress and JD(S) leaders asked the government to release a minimum of ₹10,000 crore to all co-operative banks and financial institutions to provide loans at zero interest to farmers to procure seeds, fertilizers, essential medicines and other equipment during the kharif season.
The Opposition also stressed the need for scientifically assessing the losses incurred by farmers, fruit growers, and owners of domestic animals (poultry and other livestock) for providing compensation of at least 50% of the loss.
The leaders demanded that the government also set up a revolving fund of at least ₹5,000 crore and use these funds to open up procurement centres at the panchayat level to buy farm produce in case the market price falls below cost price.
