CM Bommai enhances relief to farmers for crop damage due to rains
Belagavi, Dec 21: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday announced enhanced relief to farmers whose crops have been damaged due to rains and floods in the state, which would put an additional burden of about Rs 1,200 crore on the exchequer.
He said, within the financial limitations the government has decided to come to the rescue of farmers even amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
"After looking at the documents, we felt that the relief had to be enhanced. As per NDRF norms Rs 6,800 per hectare was given for dry land cultivation, for this state government will add Rs 6,800 per hectare, which means Rs 13,600 per hectare will be given. For irrigated land as per NDRF norms Rs 13,500 per hectare is given, we will add Rs 11,500 per hectare for it, totalling up to Rs 25,000 per hectare. For horticulture crops Rs 18,000 per hectare was being given, we will add Rs 10,000 and give Rs 28,000 per hectare ," Bommai said.
Speaking in the assembly, he said, this will benefit farmers cultivating in about 12.69 lakh hectares, and will put an additional burden of about Rs 1,200 crore on the exchequer. "We will manage it," he said.
"Our government has come to the rescue of farmers in distress....we will immediately give the enhanced amount to farmers who have got the relief till now, and as and when survey happens, other farmers will also get this relief," he added.
The Chief Minister was replaying the debate on the rain and floods that ravaged several parts of the state this year, causing damage to crops and properties.
Pointing out that there has been rains all over the state this time, Bommai said even in the districts that were usually drought prone like Kolar and Chikkaballapur, the lakes had breached due to rains, and there has been damage to crops.
The government ordered officials to immediately conduct the crop joint survey and upload the information on the "Parihara" app on day-to-day basis and within 48-hours after it is uploaded, relief should be provided to them. "For the first time in Karnataka's history within 48 hours after the joint survey report, relief have been provided to affected farmers. A total of Rs 969 crore relief has reached over 10 lakh farmers. It is a record," Bommai said.
The state government has provided relief to crop loss and damage to houses and also Rs 10,000 to those whose houses were submerged, among others, Bommai said, adding, the government has ensured that there are no issues concerning providing relief.
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IPL final shifted for bigger stadium, not ticket issue: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday rubbished allegations that the IPL final venue was shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad due to the distribution of tickets to MLAs.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said the reason for the shift could be the availability of a larger stadium in Ahmedabad.
“Ahmedabad has a large stadium and can accommodate more spectators. That must be the reason the IPL final was shifted there. There is no connection between ticket distribution to MLAs and the venue change,” he said.
When asked about reports linking the venue shift to MLAs demanding tickets, he quipped, “In some places, 50 per cent of tickets are reserved.”
When reporters said the BCCI had indicated that the decision was linked to ticket issues, he responded, “Let them make such statements. I will respond appropriately.”
Bengaluru was originally expected to host the final as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru were the defending champions.
Ahmedabad will host the IPL final for a second successive season on May 31, the BCCI announced earlier in the day, while allotting Qualifier 1 to Dharamsala and two other playoff games to New Chandigarh.
The board, however, said the final venue was shifted “owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols.”
Shivakumar declined to comment on the revocation of the suspension of Muslim leaders in Davanagere, saying it was a party decision.
Regarding the removal of MLC Naseer Ahmed as CM Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, he said the chief minister had already spoken on the matter.
“The CM has his own information. Party office-bearers have provided guidance. He was given certain responsibilities, which he did not handle properly, which is why he was removed,” Shivakumar said.
On MLC Abdul Jabbar, who resigned as the state Congress minority cell chief and was later expelled from the party, he said Jabbar had submitted his resignation, which the party accepted.
The Congress in Karnataka faced internal dissent in April when several Muslim leaders objected to the party fielding Samarth Shamanur as its candidate for the recently held Davanagere South Assembly bypoll.
They demanded that a Muslim candidate be fielded, citing the constituency’s substantial Muslim population. The party subsequently took disciplinary action against three leaders, including Jabbar and MLC Ahmed.
When asked about his and the CM’s visit to Delhi, he said, “We will go when the high command calls us. It is not appropriate to go without being called.”
On Congress supporting TVK in Tamil Nadu, Shivakumar said the decision was taken to keep the "BJP out of power and strengthen secular forces." Elections to the 234 Assembly constituencies were held on April 23, and the results were announced on May 4.
The Congress party, a long-time ally of the DMK, announced its support for TVK to form a government in Tamil Nadu and severed ties with the Dravidian major.
The incumbent DMK was trounced by the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Vijay, who secured 108 seats. “Despite pressure from the AIADMK and BJP, TVK did not align with them. Our party has taken this decision in the interest of secular forces and the welfare of Tamil Nadu,” Shivakumar said.
