KRRS condemns 'harassment' of farmers by banks

Plans a protest in Bengaluru on June 14

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) leader and Melukote MLA K S Puttanaiah on Friday took exception to the “harassment” of the farming community by the state government and private banks.

Speaking to reporters, Puttannaiah said that a private bank, which had advanced a loan of Rs 3.3 crore to a farmer Aaradhya in Ramnagara district, had harassed him by destroying his farmhouse and auctioning his seven-acre farmland worth Rs 13 crore when he delayed repayment of a part of the loan amount. Aaradhya had cleared a major portion of his loan. 

“Even though the deputy commissioner had asked the bank authorities not to take any action against the farmer, the bank acted in an inhumane manner. The bank did not serve any prior notice before the auction and a complaint has been registered in this regard. The state and Central governments have failed to protect the farmers. The KRRS will stage a protest against the bank and the government in Bengaluru on June 14” he said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said that the production of foodgrains in the state has declined by 15,000 tonnes, but he has not bothered to safeguard the interest of farmers. This year, the state will suffer 70% sugar cane shortage as many farmers have lost the crops. The state government will pay a heavy price for neglecting agri sector. Though the farmers in Mandya have been staging a protest against the government for the past one month, no people’s representative has bothered to visit them, Puttanaiah said.

Meet in Hubballi
The KRRS has organised a meet on July 9 and 10 at Hubballi to chalk out various programmes and to plan future agitations for the welfare of farmers. Nearly 200 pro-farmer thinkers like writer Devanur Mahadeva, Swaraj Abhiyan leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, activist S R Hiremath and others will participate in the meet.

KRRS will also organise a two-day study camp for farmers at Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt in Mandya district on June 6 and 7. Two people from every village in the state will be nominated for the sangha to take part in the programme, he said.

Puttanaiah said that the IPL matches were making farmers bankrupt. Without naming a farmer from Cheluvearasina Koppal in Mandya district, the MLA said, “The farmer has lost Rs 78 lakh for gambling.”

KRRS general secretary Badagalpur Nagendra and women wing president Netravathi were present.