Government is committed to helping farmers, says minister

Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said the government is committed to helping farmers to overcome grievances.

Speaking after inaugurating ‘Badaku Besaya-Raitha Santhwana Yatre’ organised jointly by District Agriculture Department and District Information and Public Relations Department at Havanje on Wednesday, the minister said the govt considers farming as priority.

He said the government has introduced large number of schemes for the welfare of the farmers. The recent farmers’ suicides have made the government to initiate measures to instil confidence among farmers,” he added.

The minister meanwhile urged farmers not to take the extreme step, as the government is always with them.

Asserting that the government would take stringent action against moneylenders who charge meter interest, the minister said nearly 1000 cases are filed against the errant moneylenders. Instructions have been issued to the cooperative societies and other banks not to harass farmers over repayment of loans. Farmers are assured of loans up to three lakh in cooperative societies without interest. Three percent interest would be charged for the loan of Rs three lakh to 10 lakh. There are Rs 60 lakh farmers in the state and Rs 16 lakh farmers have availed the loan benefits and the programme would be extended to another 21 lakh farmers in the state,” he added.

“Forest department officials have been asked to check monkey and wild animal menace. The district administration would repay the loss due to natural calamities at the earliest. And the law is formulated to ensure the ownership rights to the farmers who own Kumki land,” the minister remarked.

“Government has already sent the report over Kasturi Rangan recommendations, wherein the human habitat and farm land is exempted, other States are following the Karnataka report. An appeal is made to the central government to exempt 8200 acres of deemed forest land, he stated.

“Varahi irrigation project is already watering 5000 acres of farm land. The project would be extended to 40000 acres of agricultural land. An outlet to lend the farm machineries on rent is opened in the district, he further added.
 MLA Pramodh Madhawaraj said he will hold talks with the Forest Minister to ensure extra compensation for farmers whose crops were damaged and lost to the wild animal menace. Cooperative Minister will be appealed to ensure loans for the agricultural land based on the present market value.
 The District Information Officer Rohini said measures are taken to spread awareness among farmers about various government schemes.  Zilla Panchayat CEO Kanagavalli was present.