Hassan: The State Public Works Department Minister H D Revanna warned Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, here on Wednesday, May 8, that if issue arose in the distribution of potato leading to police firing on the farmers, she would be held responsible.
Addressing the media, he said that though days have passed since the first and second phase of general elections, DC Priyanka Mary Francis had not even attempted to hold a meeting with the farmers who were badly hit by drought.
He slammed the DC stating, “She must learn by referring to the previous meetings carried out by her predecessors in the district. The state Congress and Janata Dal (S) has released Rs 8 Crores for relief measures in drought-hit areas of which Rs 5 Crore is reserved only for drinking water purpose.”
“This DC has locked the money and is not even attempting to release it. If she doesn’t know her duties, let her leave the job”, he said.
Revanna also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and said, “On one hand, the BJP leaders say that the state coalition government must act promptly and swiftly against drought. On the other, they write a letter to the Election Commission stating that until and unless the election model code of conduct is revoked, no developmental projects should be implemented.”
“If the EC doesn’t give permission to organise a meeting, then how are we supposed to solve the drought issue?”, he questioned.
Meanwhile, DC Priyanka Mary Francis, reacting to H D Revanna’s statements, said, “The district administration has been conducting a task force meet once a week and regarding the fixation of price for potato crop, we have already held a meeting with the farmers.”
“No election model code of conduct will stand as a barrier in the matters of drought and that there won’t be any police firing instances as any work pending pertaining to the farmers, will be done then and there”, she assured.
