Bengaluru, October 6: Karnataka BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka has urged the Centre to provide enhanced drought relief to farmers, including compensation of ₹25,000 per acre for crop losses.
Ashoka, accompanied by Legislative Council Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, met the Central drought assessment team at Kumara Krupa Guest House and briefed it on the drought situation and farmers’ concerns.
Speaking later, Ashoka said the team had been asked to submit a comprehensive report to the Centre and recommend increased drought relief. He also claimed that around 10 farmers had died by suicide amid the drought situation.
Ashoka alleged that the state government’s announced relief of ₹2,500 per family had not been effectively released. He also claimed that a promised ₹1 crore relief amount per taluk remained unfulfilled.
The BJP leader said farmers should receive ₹25,000 per acre as compensation. He cited the 2021-22 period, when he said the then BJP government had provided relief using state resources without waiting for central assistance, and urged the current government to take similar measures.
Ashoka also criticised the government over increases in bus fares, property taxes and electricity charges, alleging that people were being burdened with higher costs while farmers continued to face distress.
He further urged the government to fulfil its election promise of increasing the incentive for milk producers, saying an additional ₹3 per litre would help farmers and could avoid the need for an increase in milk prices.
Opposes division of Bengaluru police commissionerate
Ashoka also opposed the proposal to divide the Bengaluru Police Commissionerate into five parts, arguing that it could create confusion in the police administration.
He called for strengthening the existing commissionerate system instead of dividing it and criticised the government over issues including farmer relief, drinking-water supply and Bengaluru’s administration.