App based crop survey to be taken up in Karnataka, says minister Krishna Byre Gowda
Bengaluru, Jun 28: The Karnataka cabinet has decided to take up 'app based crop survey' in an organised way to ascertain the exact acreage under various crops in the state during both kharif and rabi seasons, Rural development minister Krishna Byre Gowda said Friday.
The minister said Rs 90 crore has been approved for this purpose.
Byre Gowda noted that as per NITI Ayog, no other state in the country has taken up such accurate crop survey.
"Under this crops being cultivated by farmers in about 2.20 crore plots in the state will be surveyed using a mobile based app which is GPS enabled and the updating has to be done by visiting that specific plot, also uploading photos," the minister said.
The survey will result in government having actual information on acreage under various crops that can be used while claiming relief from the Centre during natural calamities like drought or floods, he told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
Private surveyors, who are at least tenth pass, will be used for the survey and they would be paid Rs 10 per farmer's plot.
Gowda pointed out that crop survey has been done during the last 2 years on a preliminary basis.
Other decisions taken by the cabinet Friday include approval for the state's share of Rs 546 crore for this year under the Raita Suraksha Pradhan Mantri Fasal BimaYojana and tender process that have taken place for ten clusters under this programme for both kharif and rabi seasons.
All preparations were on to implement the programme by the agriculture and horticulture departments, he said.
The cabinet also discussed the demand for increasing reservation for ScheduledTribes from 3 per cent to 7.5 per cent in jobs and education sector.
The chief secretary has been asked examine the ways to do it and modalities that need to be followed and provide information during the next cabinet meeting, the minister said.
"Whether a committee has to be formed or a commission has to be formed to do it- is one matter.
The second is as there is 50 per cent bar on reservation, whether it can be done within the limit or can we cross that limit and its effects.. all these matters will be examined by chief secretary, based on which we will go ahead," he said.
On government's decision to go in for cloud seeding, the minister said preparations were on and certain approvals were awaited from the central government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
It is likely to be taken up by second week of July, according to the minister.
"Mysuru and Hubbali will be two centres for cloud seeding from where aircraft for this purpose will operate, and seeding will be based on availability of clouds," he added.
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If you have a conscience, apologize to the people: R Ashoka slams Yathindra over Nalwadi comparison
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a scathing attack on MLC Dr. Yathindra, demanding that he retract his controversial statement comparing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the late Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Ashoka urged Yathindra to apologize to the people of Karnataka if he had even a shred of conscience and any respect for the Mysuru royal lineage.
In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Ashoka stated, “Comparing Siddaramaiah to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is nothing short of absurd. Where is Nalwadi, who was bestowed the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by Mahatma Gandhi himself, and where is Siddaramaiah, who has stooped to being a puppet in the hands of fake Gandhis for the sake of power?”
He continued his critique by contrasting the enduring legacy of Nalwadi, remembered fondly by Kannadigas for his people-centric development, with what he termed as Siddaramaiah’s failure to manage Karnataka’s economy, burdening every household with debt.
Ashoka highlighted several stark differences, while Nalwadi built Mysore University over a century ago, Siddaramaiah is shutting down nine universities due to lack of funds. Nalwadi famously sold his family’s gold to build the KRS dam, whereas Siddaramaiah is accused of grabbing 14 sites meant for the public. Nalwadi established Bhadravati Iron & Steel Plant, Sandalwood Soap Factory, and Mysore Paper Mills. In contrast, Ashoka claimed Siddaramaiah's governance drove away industries, investors, and entrepreneurs. Nalwadi pioneered reservations for the backward classes long before it became mainstream. Siddaramaiah, Ashoka alleged, is reducing social justice to a gimmick by sticking labels on doors in the name of surveys.
While acknowledging Yathindra’s emotional attachment to his father, Ashoka emphasized that comparing Siddaramaiah to a visionary like Nalwadi was “laughable, baseless, and a gross insult” to the late king.
In his concluding remarks, Ashoka slammed the government for ignoring farmers’ needs despite an early monsoon. He accused the administration of being caught up in internal power struggles and negligence, forcing farmers into despair. “This government will not be spared from the curse of the farmers,” he warned.
