Seeking drought declaration, Samyukta Horata Karnataka calls for ‘Kalaburagi Bandh’ on August 17
Farmers' organizations in Karnataka have called for a 'Kalaburagi Bandh' on August 17 to demand that the government declare the region drought-hit. They are seeking comprehensive relief, including loan waivers, free agricultural inputs, and better water management.
Why it matters
Drought conditions directly threaten the livelihoods of rural communities and food security, necessitating government intervention and policy support.
Demanding that the State government immediately declare Kalaburagi district and the entire Kalyana Karnataka region drought-hit and implement comprehensive relief measures for farmers and rural communities affected by the prolonged dry spell, members of the Samyukta Horata Karnataka announced a ‘Kalaburagi Bandh’ on August 17.
Addressing a joint press conference in Kalaburagi city on Sunday (July 26), Sharanabasappa Mamshetty, Bhimashankar Madiyal and R.G. Shetgar said the Kalaburagi bandh would be backed by the Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha, Karnataka Sugarcane Growers’ Association, All India Kisan Sabha, Karnataka Pranth Raitha Sangha and several other farmers’ organisations.
Mr. Shetgar said the drought had devastated agriculture, depleted groundwater, dried up standing crops and triggered an acute drinking water crisis across the district. The lack of rural employment had forced many villagers to migrate to urban areas in search of livelihoods.
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