H.D. Revanna, JD(S) leader and former Minister, has demanded a relief package for coconut growers who have suffered huge losses owing to drought. JD(S) leaders will take a delegation of farmers to the Chief Minister’s residence in Bengaluru, and if necessary, the farmers will be taken to Delhi too to stage a protest.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said more than 14 lakh coconut trees had died in the past few years. The Horticulture Department has estimated the loss to the tune of over ₹1,250 crore. Similarly, farmers of other crops too have suffered as the monsoon was delayed. “Even on irrigated land, farmers have not been able to grow paddy this year. Altogether, the loss Hassan farmers have suffered is over ₹5,000 crore,” he said.
Five JD(S) MLAs of the district will take a delegation of farmers to Bengaluru and stage a dharna in front of the Chief Minister’s office. “Not only Bengaluru, we will also go to Delhi to stage a protest seeking relief from the Union government,” he added.
He also extended support to the seers of Belur taluk who have given a call for a hunger protest from October 4 demanding irrigation facility for villages in the taluk.
