Mangalore: CM can go to China, but not visit suffering farmers - Kumaraswamy
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Sep 3: JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday September 3 visited the city as part of his tour to districts affected by floods and drought. He came to the city after visiting Shimoga.
Addressing reporters at circuit house here, he slammed the Congress state government for not showing concern towards farmers affected by floods and drought in the state and areca growers who had suffered huge losses due to rot disease.
"The state government has completed 100 days in power, and I have seen a number of advertisements in the English media. But the government is not at all concerned about the farmers who have suffered due to floods and places hit by drought. Neither the chief minister nor his cabinet ministers have visited these places," he said.
"When BJP was ruling the state, Siddaramaiah who was the opposition leader had accused the BJP of hypocrisy. But now even the Congress is behaving in the same manner by making claims but not taking proper measures to tackle flood and drought situation in various parts of the state," he said.
Commenting on the tours undertaken by ministers U T Khadar and Vinay Kumar Sorake, Kumaraswamy said that they go on tours without any action plan. "They tour the state only to attend functions but do not go to meet farmers and areca growers who have suffered losses," he said.
"Areca growers across Karnataka are suffering. The loss due to crop disease in Shimoga is estimated at Rs 204.28 crore, in Udupi Rs 57 crore, in Chikmagalur Rs 324 crore, Mangalore Rs 220.75 crore and Karwar Rs 5.78 crore. The total loss is over Rs 800 crore. In addition, loss due to rains stands at Rs 3,231 crore.
"Though there are guidelines by National Calamity Relief Fund (NCRF) that the government should compensate farmers whose 50 percent of the crop has been destroyed, the government is not concerned and has announced only Rs 25 crore as compensation for areca growers. As per the guidelines, they should get at least Rs 73 crore. It is hard to know whether any government exists at all," he said.
"The chief minister is planning to visit China in order to attract investors. Even former CM Yeddyurappa had gone there during his tenure. It is strange that though neither the CM nor any of the cabinet ministers have gone to meet farmers in flood and drought affected areas, the CM is preparing to go China. There is no need to go to China as we have all the opportunities and resources in the state itself," he added.
"The CM said that labourers and industry are like two eyes, but now when they are facing problems, he is not opening his mouth. Funds from various departments should be transferred to the state treasury and proper accounts should be furnished," he said.
"The chief minister said that the government will build toilets and provide sanitation facilities. At the same time, the commission appointed by the union government stated that 90 percent of the toilets are already built in Karnataka. I want to know who in Karnataka gave this information to the union government? The government is also saying that they will build 3 lac houses in a year, but what have they done in the last 67 years?" he slammed.
"This government has been treating its officers in various departments like slaves. All government offices have become Congress offices. If the officers do not listen, they are suspended, hence they are unable to perform their duties sincerely," Kumaraswamy alleged.
"I challenge the CM to come and visit Ramnagar (his constituency) and see how well it is functioning," he said.
Coming back to the issue of areca growers, he warned that if the government does not compensate them properly within 15 days, the JD(S) will go on a massive protest.
On reports that he would resign from the post of president of JD(S), he said, "I have already submitted my resignation. After going to Bangalore we will form a committee under senior leader Nanaiah and after discussions with party workers, decide on who will be my successor. Within three days a decision will be taken on this."
When asked about the possibility of coalition with BJP, he said that there is no question of joining hands with the BJP.
On the proposed Niddodi power project, he said the government should take the people's concerns into consideration when taking up any project and study its merits and demerits. The project should be people-friendly, he added.
About Yettinahole river diversion project, he said union minister Dr Veerappa Moily had inaugurated it with the next elections in mind. He also said that it was the brainchild of former CM Sadananda Gowda.
Asked why details of his assets and liabilities had not been submitted yet, he said there was problem on the officers' part as they had not given him instructions on how to submit the details. The same will be done in three days, he said.