District incharge Minister Abhayachandra Jain said there  was a need to instil confidence in farmers. The State government is committed to the welfare of the farmers.

Speaking at the 69th Independence Day celebrations in Chikkamagaluru on Saturday, he said “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who comes from the background of farmers’ movement, has concern for the farmers. All efforts will be made to solve the problems faced by the farmers. They (farmers) should not feel dis-heartened.”

Pro-people programmes
The government has taken up various pro-people programmes for the welfare of poor, dalits and weaker sections of the society.

Earlier, the minister received guard of honour from DAR, police, home guards, NCC, Scouts, Guides and Bharath Seva Dal students.

Several students presented cultural programmes on the occasion.

Students from Asha Kirana School for Blind, Amber Valley and Seva Dal Wing of JVS School won first, second and third place in the march-past, respectively.

MLA C T Ravi, MLC Gayatri Shanthe Gowda, Malnad Area Development Board Chairperson B C Geetha, Deputy Commissioner Shadakshariswamy, Superintendent of Police K Santhosh Babu, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer R Ragapriya and others were present.