Call for Kalaburagi bandh seeking drought relief for farmers
The Samyukta Horata Karnataka Samiti has called for a bandh in Kalaburagi to demand drought relief, loan waivers, and better support for farmers facing crop losses. The group is also calling for improved water management and an inquiry into local drinking water contamination.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing agrarian distress in Karnataka and the increasing pressure on the state government to address climate-induced agricultural failures.
The Samyukta Horata Karnataka Samiti has called for Kalaburagi bandh on Thursday demanding that the State government declare the district drought-hit and take immediate measures to address distress among farmers.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, samiti convenor Sharanabasappa Mamshetty said that inadequate monsoon rainfall has severely affected agricultural activity across the district.
Crops, including red gram, green gram, black gram, soybean, sesame, cotton and sugarcane, have suffered, causing heavy losses to farmers, he said.
Mr. Mamshetty demanded that the State government provide drought relief of ₹50,000 per acre and immediate settlement of pending crop insurance claims and a waiver of loans of farmers.
Samiti member Moula Mulla sought the release of 15 tmcft of the State’s share of water from the Ujani Reservoir in Maharashtra citing depleted groundwater levels and drying borewells and wells in the parts of Kalyana Karnataka region.
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