‘Delegation to CM seeking special package’

JD(S) State Vice President H H Devaraj said that a delegation will meet the chief minister to urge him to sanction a special package for the comprehensive development of the Chikkamagalur district.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “The issue of problems faced by the coffee growers, irrigation projects, encroachment, the row over Bababudan Swamy Dargah has been discussed with MLC S L Bhoje Gowda and a delegation will be taken to the chief minister seeking grants.”

The waiving of farm loan up to Rs 2 lakh in the budget is a bumper gift to the farmers, said Devaraj.

The loan waiver is applicable to coffee, arecanut, coconut and pepper growers. Unfortunately, the opposition members are engaged in levelling allegations on the budget, he added.

On the other hand, the Centre has not come to the rescue of the farmers. The Coffee Board has failed to come to the rescue of growers and the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP has failed to get development projects to the district, he said.