Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110753450300.htm

Karnataka - Bijapur

‘Waive loans of farmers in flood-hit areas’

Staff Correspondent

SUCI for resurvey of affected villages

Discrepancies alleged in assessing damage
‘Provide basic amenities in temporary sheds’

Seeking action: Members of the Socialist Unity Centre of India taking out a procession in Bijapur on Friday.

Bijapur: Members of the district organising committee of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) took out a procession and staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Friday urging the State Government to fulfil their various demands, including waiver of agricultural loans taken by farmers in the flood-affected districts of the State.

They came in a procession from Gandhi Chowk to the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises. Addressing the protesters, SUCI State committee member H.V. Diwakar demanded that the Government waive loans taken by farmers in the flood-affected villages and provide them fresh loans for taking up agricultural activities.

“As the Union Government has released funds for relief and rehabilitation works and various organisations have donated generously for the relief fund, there will be no dearth of funds with the Government for providing compensation for crop loss and waiving the loans,” he added.

While assuming charge, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had promised to protect the interests of farmers and middle-class people. However, BJP leaders were busy playing politics for their personal gain when several flood-affected people were still in distress.

SUCI district secretary Bhagwan Reddy said that even after a month since the floods, the authorities concerned were yet to provide basic facilities to people in most of the flood-affected villages. There were discrepancies in assessing the damage and providing compensation, he alleged. He demanded that the authorities concerned take up a resurvey of all affected villages for assessing the damage and take action against those who had misappropriated the relief funds.

Mr. Reddy demanded that basic amenities be provided in temporary sheds immediately and ration cards issued to the affected families.

A memorandum in this regard was submitted to Deputy Commissioner R. Shantraju.