Raith Horata Samiti urges govt to implement drought relief measures

Hubballi: The Karnataka Kalasa-Banduri Raith Horata Samiti has urged the govt to immediately implement relief measures for farmers affected by the prevailing drought conditions.Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Samiti president Siddanna Teji said protecting farmers and the public from hardship should be the govt’s top priority.

He warned that if authorities failed to act promptly, farmers and people across the state would be compelled to launch a massive protest in the coming days.Teji demanded that the state govt announce a special drought-relief package and seek additional financial assistance from the Centre. He also called for an uninterrupted drinking water supply through tankers in rural areas. “Drought is not merely a farmers’ issue; it is a matter of the state’s food security, rural economy and the livelihoods of millions of people,” he said.He urged the govt to immediately conduct surveys in affected regions and declare drought-hit areas wherever necessary. Teji also demanded the immediate release of compensation to farmers on a per-acre basis, prompt disbursal of crop insurance claims, temporary suspension of loan recovery by agricultural and cooperative banks, and waiver of interest on farm loans.SB Patil, Renuka Hongal, Basheer M, Sujata S and others were present.