Raitha Sangha protests, wants waiver of farm loans

The office-bearers of the district unit of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, on Monday, staged a protest in front of deputy commissioner’s office here, pressing the government to fulfill several of their demands including the waiver of farm loans and providing crop loss compensation to the farmers in distress.

The KRRS leaders demanded the Centre to announce a special package to the state so that drought relief works be taken up in the affected districts.  

District president of KRRS Manu Somaiah said, “Due to the below par rainfall, the coffee and cardamom plantation in the district have wilted. The government must provide a compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre to those who have taken up cultivation.”

The agitating KRRS members demanded the government to waive farm loans sanctioned by Dr B R Ambedkar Development Corporation, backward classes and minorities development corporations and gold loans obtained from nationalised and co-operative banks.

They urged the government to implement Krishi Kutumba Maasika Aadaya Khatri Yojane and to provide interest-free loans to the farmers.

In the case of any farmers deaths due to elephant and tiger attacks, the next of kin should be given Rs 20 lakh as compensation, followed by Rs 35,000 for the loss of livestock. In the event of damage to properties, adequate compensation should be given to farmers, the KRRS leaders demanded.

The authorities concerned should give permission to farmers to sink borewells, they urged.

The authorities should initiate regulatory measures to check the loss of forest cover and also smuggling of logs by setting up check-posts.

Sujay, C Ganesh, Sathya, Ashok, Poovappa among others took part in the protest.