From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 10: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Chief D K Shivakumar supported the demand of milk producing farmers for increasing the procurement price for milk by Rs 4 per litre.

Speaking to reporters near his residence in Bengaluru on Tuesday, May 10, Shivakumar said the State Government must consider the problems of farmers.

When the price of domestic LPG cylinders is raised by Rs 50, the government should also look at the increase in fertilizer prices, support price for farmers for their agricultural produce and the increase price of cattle feed from Rs 600 to Rs 1,200 per bag, there is no harm in accepting the demand of increasing the procurement price of milk by Rs 4 per litre, he said.

The KPCC Chief said the government must consider the plight of farmers and dairy farmers. The dairy industry provides jobs but the government is not bothered about the farmers supplying milk and is only interested in collecting money as commission, he said and pointed out that it is the government’s responsibility and duty to protect and safeguard the interests of farmers.

Shivakumar declined to comment on Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan visiting the residence and holding discussions with KPCC Campaign Committee Chairman M B Patil. “He (the minister) must be trying to ensure that Congress party does not raise the scams against him,’’ he said and pointed out that M B Patil must be asked as to what transpired at the meeting.

To a question on Congress Opposition leader in the Council B K Hariprasad’s statement that those opposing loudspeakers for Azan and insisting on playing Hanuman Chalis were nothing but terrorists, Shivakumar said Hariprasad is a senior leader and is holding a prominent position.

“It is not correct to twist his (Hariprasad’s) statement. He implied that those creating unrest and communal clashes while pitting one religion against another were terrorists,” he said and mentioned that it is the ruling BJP which is stoking communal unrest.

“If the Chief Minister and the Home Minister had handled the situation better and tactfully, these type of incidents would not have happened. The government and ruling party are keen to divert public attention from the stink of corruption and attempting to polarize the voters," he said.