Bengaluru: JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy on Wednesday demanded that the Congress government in Karnataka announce an immediate loan waiver for farmers affected by widespread crop damage due to heavy rains and floods across the state.
JD(S) to tour affected areas
Speaking to reporters, Nikhil alleged that ministers have not visited the flood-affected regions. He announced that a JD(S) delegation, including party legislators and senior leaders, would tour various parts of Karnataka next week to assess the damage and prepare a report to be submitted to the government.
Crops destroyed in multiple regions
“There has been heavy rain across the state, and it has caused distress among farmers. Nearly 34 per cent excess rainfall has occurred in Kittur Karnataka, Kalyana Karnataka, and districts like Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga, destroying standing crops,” he said.
Farmers in these regions, already struggling with rising input costs, now face mounting debts as paddy, maize, areca nut and other crops have been damaged due to flooding and waterlogging.
Demand for government intervention
Nikhil urged the state to not only announce a loan waiver but also extend compensation and rehabilitation packages for affected farmers. “Farmers are the backbone of Karnataka. The government should stand with them in this time of crisis,” he said.
JD(S) leaders stressed that immediate steps are necessary to prevent farmer suicides and rural distress from escalating further.