CM BSY wears green shawl for fashion, doesn't care about farmers' issues: DKShi

Gangavati: KPCC president DK Shivakumar alleged that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa only puts on a green shawl on his shoulders to make a fashion statement as and does not really care about State’s farmers.

Speaking reporters here, he said the chief minister is more concerned about saving his government than the farmers’ problems. Farmers near the Tungabhadra are not getting adequate price for their paddies. The price of paddies is lowest presently as there is no minimum support price for it in the market. The government must immediately procure these paddies at a scientifically-determined price.

“The government has not come to the aid of the farmers in Koppal district where Agriculture Minister BC Patil’s is the district in-charge minister. The government must pay an additional Rs 500 on top of the support price for paddy farmers. Input costs for farming are rising every day. Electricity tariffs have been increased by 40 paise per unit. Already people are burdened with hardship from the COVID-19 crisis, such rate increases will burden them further. The prices of maize crops have also fallen along with paddy. The chief minister must first save the farmers and start procurement centres soon,” Shivakumar added.

Commenting on the Maratha Development Corporation, he said that the government is planning to make a caste into a corporation. Adding the Congress leaders will convene a meeting on November 30 to discuss this issue and of support prices for farmers’ crops.

Former Minister and District Congress President Shivaraja Thangadagi, Iqbal Ansari, Shamid Maniar, Sharanegouda, Yamanappa Arhal, Amarajyoti Narsappa, Sharif Patwari, Raju Nayak, Dyagi Rudresha and Malimamatha were among those present with Shivakumar.