Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Dec 16: Former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, urged chief minister, Basavaraj Bommai, to immediately disburse compensation to farmers who suffered losses due to untimely rainfall in the state, without waiting for the central government grants. Yediyurappa's demand received the support of the opposition, which asked the government to keep the development works on hold and divert the funds to pay compensation to farmers.

Yediyurappa was speaking in support of discussions being made on the issue of floods, which was raised by Congress MLA, R V Deshpande. He said that what Deshpande has said is the fact and that during the last 40 to 50 years, farmers have been driven to the streets due to excessive rainfall. Noting that the central government has been urged to release additional compensation, he said that the center is aware of the problem and that a committee of experts is being sent here to verify the demand. "Do not wait for central funds. Keep other works pending, keep in mind what Deshpande has said, and pay compensation," he demanded.

Yediyurappa said that coolie amount of people who work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme is being kept pending for weeks, which is not right. He pointed out that the farmers have no money to even buy the seeds. He asked the government to protect the farmers and coolies and come to their rescue.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar, expressed solidarity with Yediyurappa. He said his party supports what Yediyurappa has said and demanded immediate disbursement of compensation. JD(S) MLA H D Revanna too supported him.