Farmers seek hike in budgetary allocation

A delegation of farmers' leaders on Monday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to earmark 65 per cent of funds in the coming budget for agriculture, rural development and irrigation, besides announcing the complete waiver of farm loans.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kodihalli Chandrashekar said that the government in the past had neglected the agriculture sector. Hence, there has been a slump in the growth of the sector. The Congress government should come out with a comprehensive package for the revival of the ailing sector, he added.

Lakhs of farmers’ families are in distress due to two successive years of drought in the State. The government should, therefore, announce complete waiver of farm loans in the State.Besides, a programme should be chalked out to rehabilitate the drought-hit farmers, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha President and MLA K S Puttanaiah said.

All delayed irrigation projects should be completed in a time bound manner. Preparations for taking up the Upper Krishna project III should be completed soon, they demanded.