Rain damages worry farmers

Expenditure nearly Rs 8,000 per acre , but compensation only Rs 200 per acre

Several agricultural families, who sowed seeds on their fields expecting good harvest, were literally disappointed by the natural calamity. Now the farmers are in a dilemma as to how to repay the agricultural loans taken from local banks and financiers. Similarly, they are also worried about their future.

Several families in Navunda, Salpuda, Maravanthe, Maski, Chikkalli, Hadavu, Thenkabailu, Tharekodlu, Hosangadi, Goliyangadi, Belve, Koteshwar and Ale-alive were affected by the rains and artificial foods. Overflow of water from river and artificial flood due to Konkan Railway track have led to inundation of agriculture fields in the taluk at many places. Following this, agricultural crops grown in thousands of acres of land have been destroyed completely. Meanwhile, farmers are unable to sow seeds again due to lack of adequate stock of seeds with them. As a result, most of the farmers were forced to remain idle without sowing seeds on their fields.

Same villagers who were overjoyed by the inauguration of railway line are now cursing the Konkan Railways authorities. Artificial flood situation is being created at many places in the taluk since the railway line was constructed blocking the natural flow of rainwater. Farmers had demanded the authorities to construct culverts at every 100 meters distance on the railway track. However, Railway authorities did not pay heed to farmers’ demand.

Meanwhile, it is said that the rain damage compensation paid by the government is too negligent that indeed it will not compensate the actual loss. The compensation fixed by the government is only Rs 200 per acre, while a farmer spends nearly Rs 8,000 to cultivate in one acre of his land.

The issue was brought to the notice of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, when he was the Deputy Chief Minister in the H D Kumaraswamy’s cabinet. MLC K Prathapchandra Shetty and former MLA of Byndoor Gopal Poojary also had urged the State government to find solution to the issue in the Legislative Assembly.

DH News Service