Centre not cooperating with Karnataka to solve farmers' woes: Shivakumar
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said that the Centre was not cooperating with the state to solve farmers' problems.
The ongoing winter session of the legislature will focus on the burning issues in the state, mainly the farmers, he said, and urged the opposition to join the government to pressurise the Centre over crop procurement and regional development.
"We don't know why the Centre is not cooperating with us to resolve the matter. We don't know why it is not releasing funds to procure crops under Minimum Support Price (MSP)," Shivakumar, who is also Congress state president, told reporters here.
The winter session of the Karnataka Legislature is in progress in Belagavi.
ALSO READ: Goa nightclub fire: Owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Phuket after tragedy, say police
The BJP has decided to stage a protest on Tuesday against the injustice to the farmers.
Reiterating that the session must meaningfully address these concerns, he said, "It is our wish that the Centre should release funds for the welfare of Kittur Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka regions. We believe that the session will deliberate on these issues."
Shivakumar criticised the BJP's call for a demonstration, questioning the party's record in taking decisive steps on irrigation and crop procurement.
"Did the BJP ever take such firm decisions as we had on Upper Krishna Project (UKP), sugarcane and maize procurement," he asked.
The Deputy Chief Minister noted that the state had decided to buy a certain amount of maize and highlighted the gravity of the crisis in the sugar industry.
"Sugar factory owners are in tears..., factories are on the verge of closure," he said, adding that the government was "pressurising the Centre to bear the expenses together."
Pointing to the Centre's responsibility in deciding support prices, he said, "Who decides MSP? It's the Centre only. It didn't enhance sugar prices for the past 10 years. Why aren't they deciding to support the factories?"
He added that the farmers should be saved even if it results in loss.
Maize growers have been protesting, demanding procurement at Rs 3,000 per quintal.
The current MSP is Rs 2,400 per quintal, and farmers are seeking a Rs 600 bonus. Ahead of the session, the state government announced increasing maize procurement from 20 quintals per farmer to 50 quintals at Rs 2,400 per quintal.
Maintaining that the political fight should not be fragmented, he said the fight should not be by the BJP or farmers. It is the state that should raise voice against the Centre.
Shivakumar dismissed the BJP's protest plans, saying, "Since they don't have anything to say, they are protesting."
Meanwhile, reacting to Yathindra Siddaramaiah's statement that his father Siddaramaiah would complete five year term as Chief Minister, Shivakumar said, "I am glad about it".
Yathindra on Monday claimed that the Congress high command has said that there is no leadership change in the state and he believes that Siddaramaiah will continue as CM for five years.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Samson's unbeaten 87 powers CSK to eight-wicket win over DC
New Delhi (PTI): Sanju Samson bossed the chase with authority, anchoring a modest 156-run target with a fluent 87 not out as Chennai Super Kings outclassed Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the IPL here on Tuesday.
Samson's knock came off just 52 balls with seven fours and six sixes, batting through the innings as CSK completed the chase in just 17.3 overs giving a huge boost to their net run-rate.
Electing to bat on a tricky surface, Delhi Capitals were restricted to 155/7.
West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein set the tone with the new ball, returning tidy figures of 1/19, including 14 dot balls.
Reduced to 69/5 in 11 overs, Delhi found some late impetus through Tristan Stubbs (38; 31 balls) and Sameer Rizvi (40 not out; 24 balls), who stitched together a crucial 65-run (off 47 balls) stand to give the innings a respectable total.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals: 155 for 7 in 20 overs (Tristan Stubbs 38, Sameer Rizvi 40 not out; Noor Ahmed 2/22)
Chennai Super Kings 159 for two in 17.3 overs (Sanju Samson 87 not out, Kartik Sharma 41 not out). CSK win by eight wickets.
