‘Pay compensation for loss of crops’

JD(S) state Vice President H H Devaraj has urged the government to announce Malnad as rain affected area and pay compensation for the loss of coffee, pepper, arecanut and coconut following heavy rain.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said the farmers in Malnad are in distress. The commercial crops of coffee, pepper, arecanut and coconuts have been lost in the rain.

The MP representing the region should bring the issue of loss of crops to the notice of the Central government. Measures should be initiated to waive the loans borrowed by coffee growers, he added.

Rain has caused extensive damage in Mudigere, Sringeri, N R Pura and Koppa. The MP should inspect the rain-affected areas. If the MP fails to respond to the woes of farmers within 15 days, then a protest will be staged against the MP, he warned.

Further, he said that miscreants have spread rumours that the loan waiver announced by the state government is not applicable to coffee, pepper, arecanut and coconut growers. The loan waiver is applicable to all growers, he clarified.

He said MLA C T Ravi had demanded Lokayukta probe into poor quality of work on Karagada lift irrigation project. However, the MLA should clarify whom (the engineer or contractor) should the Lokayukta probe.

Devaraj said, “Water does not flow properly from Karagada canal due to unscientific and poor work. The MLA should own the responsibility for the poor quality of work.”