Karnataka: Flood-hit farmers stare at government for relief

KALABURAGI: Extreme monsoon rain has wreaked havoc in north Karnataka region for the second time in a row, leading to destruction and damage to standing crops, thus pushing farmers to hardship.
In Kalaburagi district alone, 148 villages have been due to floods after 6,30,000 cusecs of water was released from Sonna Barrage. About 54 relief camps have been set up across Kalyana Karnataka region to shelter the victims.The region is battered by downpour in the last three months.
According to a government estimate, agriculture crops grown on 1,04418.81 hecare and horticulture crops grown on 3,481.93 hectare have been completely destroyed in seven districts — Belagavi, Bidar, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Kalaburagi, Raichur and Yadgir. Farmers whose houses have been inundated are now haplessly staring at the government seeking help.
The standing cotton crop cultivated by Raghunath Reddy, 43, on 4acre land was washed away. Raghunath asks how he can repay the debts to banks and local moneylenders. Insurance money assured under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for the lost crops lost in 2019 is yet to reach him. Half of the amount to be borne by the state government is also pending. “I have no option but to sell my land,” he rued.
Chamarasa Mali Patil, a farmer leader, told TOI that chief minister B S Yediyurappa stated that deputy commissioners of flood-affected districts will have surplus money to be used as relief funds. “But in reality, the funds are depleting. In August, 25% of the total crop washed away in rain, for which farmers are yet to receive compensation. Now a total of 75% crop is lost. The government does a survey for eyewash, leaving farmers to fend for themselves. With amendments to Land Reforms Act, many farmers are being forced to sell land,” he said.
Mallikarjun, another farmer leader from Yadgir, said the crisis may trigger suicides again, unless the government immediately acts. “Paddy, cotton and tur crops in the region have been destroyed completely. The region was recovering from successive droughts. But it is battered by floods now,” he said.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, agriculture minister B C Patil said that the department is conducting a survey of crop damage due to floods. “Previous year, Rs 36.47 crore had been released to provide compensation to farmers for damaged crops. Rs 800 crore is already in the DCs’ accounts, and the same will be used for providing compensation. The compensation amount will be released after verifying the documents, and this requires time. There is no delay in providing compensation,” he claimed.
However, Patil evaded a reporters’ question on the extent of crop damage due to floods in north Karnataka. He quipped that he has no information regarding the crop damage due to floods in October. “I don’t remember the data on floods damage caused two months ago,”he said.
With inputs by B K Lakshmikantha in Mysuru