No compensation paid to Wayanad farmer family: Minister

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Monday clarified to the Legislative Council that Karnataka has not paid any ex-gratia amount to the family of a farmer from Wayanad who was trampled by an elephant.

His clarification came after members from the Opposition accused the government of discriminating in awarding compensation in man-animal conflicts.

The issue of Karnataka providing compensation to a Wayanad farmer after a nudge from Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who formerly represented Wayanad, had come under criticism.

The Minister, who was responding in a debate on two elephants deaths in South Canara, clarified: “I am aware that you have been trolling us on social media platforms. We have not paid a single paisa to the Kerala family.”