Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Nov 11: Karnataka deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday assured that every eligible drought-affected farmer in the state would receive a minimum relief of Rs 5,000, clarifying that those who had received Rs 2,000 or Rs 2,500 in the first instalment would be paid the balance amount in subsequent instalments.

Addressing concerns over discrepancies in the first instalment of drought relief, with some farmers receiving Rs 2,000 instead of the expected Rs 2,500, Parameshwara said the amount disbursed so far was not the final assistance.

Several farmers who had received less than the expected amount had raised concerns, while the opposition BJP had also criticised the Congress government over the issue.

"The government has decided to provide a minimum of Rs 5,000 to every eligible drought-affected farmer, and this commitment will be honoured," Parameshwara said in a statement.

He said the state government had issued an order on October 23 authorising the release of Rs 2,500 per eligible farmer as the first instalment of the input subsidy.

Accordingly, on November 5, the government launched the distribution of Rs 17.43 crore to 1,06,462 farmers in Yadgir district under its drought relief programme, he said.

Explaining the variations in the amounts credited to farmers' accounts, Parameshwara said the existing Union government-prescribed SDRF/NDRF guidelines provided for input subsidies based on the extent and category of agricultural land. The minimum assistance was fixed at Rs 1,500 for rainfed crops, Rs 2,600 for irrigated crops and Rs 3,200 for perennial crops.

However, chief minister D K Shivakumar and he had decided to go beyond these prescribed norms and ensure minimum assistance of Rs 5,000 to every eligible farmer, irrespective of the size of the landholding, he said.

"A farmer cultivating half an acre suffers from the same drought, the same uncertainty and the same financial distress as a farmer cultivating several acres. The size of a farmer's landholding should never determine the compassion of a government," he said.

Clarifying the payment schedule, Parameshwara said farmers who had received Rs 2,000 in the first instalment would get the remaining Rs 3,000, while those who had received Rs 2,500 would be paid the balance Rs 2,500.

He further said Rs 5,000 was the minimum assistance and that eligible farmers could receive enhanced input subsidies ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 60,000, depending on the extent of crop loss and applicable norms.
The deputy chief minister said he had directed officials to ensure transparency in the payment process and expedite the release of the pending instalments.

"Government guidelines must serve the interests of farmers, not become obstacles to delivering relief. Where existing norms are inadequate to address the hardship of farmers, our government will take the necessary decisions to protect their interests," he said.

Appealing to farmers not to be misled by rumours and misinformation, Parameshwara urged opposition leaders not to exploit the issue for political gains. He said the government was open to genuine grievances and would examine cases where eligible farmers had received less assistance than they were entitled to.

"Our farmers do not need political accusations. They need timely assistance, financial security and the confidence that their government stands beside them," he said.

Meanwhile, state BJP president B Y Vijayendra criticised the Congress government, accusing it of failing to stand by drought-hit farmers and provide them with the much-needed relief.

"The administration, which should have stood by farmers reeling from drought and offered them solace, is instead playing with their distress without even a shred of humanity. This is condemnable," he said.

"The chief minister himself had promised that farmers across the state, including those in severely drought-hit Yadgir, would receive Rs 5,000 in relief, with Rs 2,500 being credited in the first instalment. However, crediting different amounts such as Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 into farmers' bank accounts is a glaring example of this bankrupt government's irresponsibility, confusion in decision-making and anti-farmer attitude," he alleged.

Pointing out that relief for farmers who had lost their crops and were trapped in debt was not charity but their right, Vijayendra said the state government, which had emptied its coffers, had announced only a meagre amount of assistance in the first place. Its failure to release even the promised amount in full, he alleged, amounted to mocking the tears and hardships of farmers.

"Chief minister, your government has gone back on its word and dashed the hopes of farmers. Set aside all other matters and honour your promise first. Immediately release the full Rs 5,000 relief to every drought-affected farmer, including the pending amount, and do not invite the curse of the farmers who feed the nation," he added.