Farmers Joint Action Committee to launch protest over flood relief delay

The Farmers Joint Action Committee has announced a series of agitations to protest the alleged “step-motherly attitude” of the Central government towards flood-hit farmers of Kalaburagi and the Kalyana Karnataka region.

Committee honorary advisor Shaukat Ali Alur and its district Convener Sunil Manpade addressing a press conference here on Wednesday said the protests were being organised to demand immediate disbursal of compensation to flood-affected farmers and to condemn the BJP-led Centre’s “step-motherly approach” towards Karnataka.

The protests will be held across major junctions’ connecting to district headquarters: the samiti members would protest at Chigaralli Cross in Jewargi taluk on November 10, at Mahagaon Cross in Kamalapur taluk on November 13, Aland Town on November 16, Sannur Cross on Sedam Road on November 19, Bankur Cross in Shahabad taluk on November 20, and Chowdapur Cross in Afzalpur taluk on November 22.

Mr. Shaukat Ali said that heavy rains and floods had completely devastated farmers’ livelihoods across Kalaburagi district and the Kalyana Karnataka region; standing crops on 3.24 lakh ha were destroyed in Kalaburagi district alone.

Mr. Sunil Manpade criticised the State government for delaying to release compensation to affected farmers and demanded the authorities to deposit compensation directly to farmers’ accounts immediately.

Accusing the Central government of showing a “step motherly attitude” towards the State, Mr. Manpade said that the Centre has released ₹1,566.40 crore for Maharashtra while Karnataka was granted only ₹384.40 crore as relief- this is condemnable and reeks of political discrimination, he alleged.

Joint Action Committee members also accused BJP leaders of engaging in “photo politics” by merely visiting affected villages for publicity while remaining silent on the Centre’s inaction. It is the Central government’s duty to ensure justice to all States equally, they said.