Vijayendra seeks ₹5 lakh farm loan waiver for drought-hit farmers in Karnataka

BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday demanded a waiver of crop loans of up to ₹5 lakh for farmers affected by the severe drought in Karnataka.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly and later to reporters, Mr. Vijayendra also sought compensation of ₹50,000 per hectare for crop losses and an increase in the milk incentive from ₹5 to ₹8 per litre.

Citing the farm loan waiver announced by the Maharashtra government, he urged Karnataka to adopt a similar measure to provide relief to farmers. He also demanded that the State government clear pending procurement payments to farmers who had supplied maize.

Mr. Vijayendra sought a regular three-phase power supply to rural areas, adding that the government should purchase power, if necessary, to ensure uninterrupted supply. He said power could previously have been purchased at ₹10-11 a unit if the government entered the agreement, but now costs ₹14-15 a unit.