MLC N Ravikumar
He termed the Rs 2,500 compensation for families of drought-hit farmers inadequate, saying it amounts to offering alms. The meagre relief has caused resentment, with farmers ready to contribute Rs 500 themselves and return the money to the govt, he said. During the previous BJP govt, additional assistance along with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) compensation took annual Kisan Samman assistance to Rs 12,000, Ravikumar said. As per current NDRF norms, farmers should receive at least Rs 5,000, he said, alleging that the state treasury is empty and the govt has completely failed in drought management.
Addressing a media conference, Ravikumar said the govt was making decisions under pressure from ruling party protests. On the special intensive revision exercise, he said Congress is making baseless allegations and that the process of removing fake and duplicate names is being carried out transparently. Ravikumar said BJP is ready to take an all-party delegation to the Centre, but insisted that the state govt should first discharge its responsibilities properly.
The present govt has stopped the assistance, he alleged. MLC Hemalatha Naik, BJP district president Naveen Gulagannavar, Dr Basavaraj Kyavator and others were present.