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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Dalit groom prays at temple near Ambedkar's birthplace in police presence
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Indore (PTI): A groom from the Dalit community had to offer prayers at a Lord Ram temple, located near Dr B R Ambedkar's birthplace, in police presence after an argument between two groups in a village here.
The incident took place on Monday, when the country celebrated the birth anniversary of the Constitution's chief architect and social reformer Ambedkar, a revered figure among Dalits who was born on April 14, 1891 at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district.
As per accounts provided by eyewitnesses and videos on social media, the groom, who arrived at the temple in Sanghvi village, 25 km from Mhow, with his marriage procession and guests, offered prayers at the temple along with a few of his family members in the presence of police.
The police, however, denied claims that the Dalit man was prevented from entering the temple, and asserted there was an argument between two groups over entering the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine, where only priests are allowed as per local traditions.
Some videos of the incident have surfaced on social media. In one of the videos, the groom is seen standing outside the temple with his marriage procession and 'baraatis' (guests) arguing with the other side, said to be members of a privileged caste.
After a controversy erupted, police issued a statement clarifying the entire episode.
"A rumour that a Dalit groom was prevented from entering the temple in Sanghvi village in the Betma police station area is being circulated on social media, which is misleading. The groom and his family went to the temple and prayed. After this, the wedding procession was taken out peacefully," statement said.
On receiving information about the argument between the wedding party members and the other group, a police team reached the spot and resolved the issue by convincing people of both the sides regarding entering the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, it said.
After offering prayers at the temple, the wedding procession left for its destination, the statement said.
Betma police station in-charge Meena Karnawat told PTI, "In Sanghvi village, no one stopped the groom from a Scheduled Caste to enter the temple. The 'baraati' side was talking about entering the temple's sanctum sanctorum, where according to local traditions, only priests are allowed. No devotee goes inside the sanctum sanctorum of this temple.''
The groom belonged to the Balai community.
Manoj Parmar, president of the All India Balai Mahasangh, said, "Due to the frustrated mentality of some people, our community still has to face caste discrimination in rural areas. The groom from the Dalit community was able to offer prayers at the temple under police protection after nearly two hours of argument."
