Protest will be staged in Tirthahalli town on September 24 demanding regularisation of cultivation of bagair hukum farmers in Tirthahalli assembly segment and proper relief and compensation for persons displaced due to Chakra and Savehaklu projects.

Addressing a press meet here, State JD(S) general secretary Mani Hegde alleged that administration has shut its eyes to the plight of bagair hukum farmers.

A total of 15,779 farmers in the taluk have applied since 1999 seeking regularisation of bagair hukum cultivation of which only 1,366 applications have been disposed. About 4,447 applications have been rejected on various grounds. Local Legislator is interfering in regularisation of cultivation, he alleged.

Suspecting irregular practice in distribution of Ashraya houses, he said that many eligible persons have remained deprived of the facility. Persons displaced due to Chakra, Savehaklu and other projects in the region haven’t been rehabilitated yet. Even for petty issues like admission for college, MLA Araga Jnanendra is interfering. Only supporters of BJP are enjoying fruits of welfare programmes launched by the Government and MLA has indulged in vote bank politics, he said.

Regarding rain havoc, he said that though taluk has suffered Rs 25 crore loss due to rain and floods, paltry sum of Rs 40 lakh has been released to undertake relief works. He demanded additional funds for the taluk.
JD(S) leaders Nakunji Sudhakar, Nempe Devaraj were present in the press meet.