Bengaluru, Jun 17 (PTI): Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday requested the Central government for 50 per cent support to his government's farm loan waiver scheme."Debt of farmers is staring us in the face. My government is ready to address this problem and I request the Government of India to support us," he said.

In his address at the 4th meeting of the NITI Ayog governing council in New Delhi, a copy of which was shared with the media here, the chief minister said in Karnataka about 85 lakh farmers have outstanding debts on account of agricultural loans from banks.

He said, "Due to recurring droughts, the distress of the farmers is even more severe. I request the Government of India to provide 50 per cent support for our loan waiver initiative."Kumaraswamy is under intense pressure to announce the farm loan waiver that his party, the JD(S) had promised in the run-up to the assembly elections in Karnataka.

After initially citing coalition compulsions for the delay, the chief minister on May 30 amid the opposition and farmers' bodies stepped up pressure on him to fulfill his pre-poll promise, had said his government would arrive at a decision to implement a two-phase scheme for farm loan waiver within 15 days.

With the 15-day deadline coming to an end on June 15, Kumaraswamy reiterated that he was committed to waiving the farm loan and would announce it shortly.

"Dear farmers, let there be no confusion on the farm loan waiver. I am fully committed to the loan waiver. I want to ensure it is done scientifically benefiting maximum number of farmers. I am working on the modalities and will announce it shortly," he had said in a tweet on Friday.

Addressing the NITI Aayog governing council meeting for the first time, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy said the new government has to fulfill several aspirations of the people of Karnataka, and "we need full support of the Government of India for this."

"While we represent various political ideologies, when it comes to development we should work together," he said.Stressing the need for gearing up to climate resilient agriculture, Kumaraswamy said, the climate change is a reality, especially so in the agriculture sector.

"I call upon the Government of India to harness national and international expertise to develop a comprehensive framework, strategies and practices for ushering a climate resilient agriculture revolution in the country," he added.

Noting that water is becoming a scarce resource and is going to be a limiting factor for growth, both in agriculture as well as other sectors, he also suggested dedicating a full decade for "extensive and intensive" water conservation efforts.

Highlighting that allocation to Karnataka for the period 2015-20 under SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) is only Rs 1,375 crore, which is much less than the allocation to other states, the chief minister said the state's unmet needs are huge but has not been addressed either in the Finance Commission award or under the NDRF.

"A comprehensive discussion is needed on this issue," he added.Kumaraswamy further said he is sure the NITI Aayog will prove its federal character given the developmental disparities in India and added the Aayog and the Union government must re-emphasise federal and participative medium-term planning with concrete goals and inclusive development programmes.

Kumaraswamy to hold discussions with Rahul Gandhi on budget, farm loan waiver

Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (DC)

Following differences of opinion among Congress leaders, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy who is firm on his decision to present the new budget in the coalition government and waive farm loans has decided to take permission from AICC President Rahul Gandhi in this regard.

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders during their first coordination committee meeting have opined that decision on farm loan waiver must be taken seeing financial position of the state. But Kumaraswamy opines that since he is leading the coalition government, he must include the promises made during elections including farm loan waiver in the new budget.

"I will present the new budget in July and I have directed the officials to be prepared for it," said Kumaraswamy. When he was the chief minister earlier he could not present the budget and as this time he holds the finance portfolio, he intends to do so.

Siddaramaiah had told Karnataka in-charge K C Venugopal that there was no need to present a new budget. In the co-ordination committee meeting too Congress leaders expressed serious doubts about the fiscal position of the state and whether it could take on a huge burden by waiving loans.

Hence Kumaraswamy has decided to discuss the matter with Rahul Gandhi and he has already spoken to senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad about it.

Kumaraswamy has agreed to continue populist schemes such as Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Ksheeradhare, Vidyasiri, Indira Canteen launched by Siddaramaiah led Congress government. He has stayed the proposal of free bus pass scheme announced by the previous Congress government till presentation of the budget.

In the election manifesto, JD(S) had announced farm loan waiver, monthly pension to pregnant women, poor women and senior citizens, new jobs for youth and new facilities for vendors which Kumaraswamy wants to include in the new budget.

Though earlier it was estimated that the state government might need Rs 53,000 crore for farm loan waiver, it is now learnt that with few conditions and other fact check of the state exchequer, it might put burden of Rs 20,000 crore and Rs 15,000 crore burden on other schemes. If they go ahead with the farm loan waiver there will be only Rs 25,000 crore increase in the new budget. The economic advisors have also opined that if the state government stops few not so important schemes of various departments and other projects which cannot be implemented in five years, the budget size can be decreased without much burden on the state exchequer.