JOIN USMLAs' ideas for agriculture, rural sectors
On the second day of the extended session of the legislature, a good number of members made some constructive suggestions. While some members spoke at length on the specified subjects, some drifted off to urban development, unemployment and corruption.
Sharana Prakash Patil (Cong) sought enhanced budgetary allocation for irrigation besides streamlining of APMCs. HS Mahadeva Prasad (Cong) suggeted the appointment of third party agency to check the quality of rural housing scheme.
U T Khader (Cong) said that there should be no forcible farm loan recovery from banks or societies due to drought. He suggested the setting up of a farm debt service commission to help farmers in distress.
Manohar Maski (BJP) said government investment in agriculture should go up to 5 per cent from 1.3 per cent. He suggested the introduction of online trading of APMCs.
C T Ravi (BJP) suggested the tabling of a separate budget for agriculture and include agriculture in school curriculum. Appaji Nadagouda (Cong) said crop insurance should be made compulsory for farmers. Thontadarya (BJP) said that there was a need to review Land Reforms Act and Law of Inheritance.
Prathap Chandra Shetty (Cong) sought Rs 25 lakh grant to strengthen the grama panchayats in the State.
Apathy
A majority of the cabinet ministers and a number of legislators of both the ruling and the opposition parties, on Thursday, kept themselves off the Legislature session, which is exclusively debating the rural development of the State.
Those present in the Legislative Assembly include the Minister for Energy, Transport, Primary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, Minor Irrigation, Revenue and RD&PR.
The Chief Minister was present for a brief period. Even many of those who were present, later left the house.