Farmers block highway at Mandya

They criticise Chief Minister for not announcing full farm loan waiver

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene members blocking the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway at Mandya on Monday.

The busy Bengaluru-Mysuru highway was blocked for a while here on Monday by members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene to urge Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to fulfil his poll promises to help the farming community that is in distress.

The protesters expressed their disappointment over Mr. Kumaraswamy failing to keep up his promises made during electioneering.

The Chief Minister projected himself as a “ Mannina Maga ” (son of the soil) but failed to waive all loans taken by farmers, Shambhunahalli Suresh, president, KRRS, Mandya district, said. “He is not a son of the soil, but putting soil in the mouths of farmers.”

The ceiling on the loan amount to be waived [Rs. 2 lakh] as announced by Mr. Kumaraswamy, and other conditions/restrictions imposed in the loan waiver scheme was strongly opposed during the protest. The Chief Minister was urged to immediately announce a complete loan waiver and was told that the recently announced loan waiver scheme would not help the farmers much.

The government was also urged to revive Mysugar Mill and Pandavapura Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane to help sugarcane growers.

Mr. Kumaraswamy was also condemned for reducing the quantity of ‘Anna Bhagya’ rice from seven kg to five kg, and imposing cess on petrol and diesel in his recent budget.

Hassan Special Correspondent reports:

Members of Karnataka State Raitha Sangha staged a protest here on Monday urging the State government to waive farm loans completely. They took out a procession in the city and staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex.

They said the Chief Minister, ahead of the elections, had assured the people of the State total waiver of farm loans. But he announced waiver of only Rs. 34,000 crore after assuming power. “This will benefit only the defaulters. A large section of farmers would not be benefited. The government should waive all loans completely”, the protesters said. They also demanded an increase in the procurement price of milk in Hassan Milk Union. The milk producers should get at least Rs. 50 per litre, they said.

Raitha Sangha State secretary Ravi Anekereled the protest.