Karnataka former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai has warned that if the State Government fails to provide proper compensation and support price to farmers whose crops have been damaged due to continuous rains, it will have to face a large-scale farmers’ movement.
In a post on X, he stated that continuous rains have caused severe crop loss across the State. Even though two months have passed since the damage occurred, the government has not come forward to offer any compensation. The crop loss survey has not been carried out properly, leaving farmers distressed and helpless, waiting anxiously for government relief like the proverbial Jhathaka bird waiting for rain.
He further criticised that even last year, no proper compensation was given. The Centre provided its share of relief, but the State Government washed its hands of the issue. This year, though the compensation amount was announced, funds have not been released yet. He accused the State Government of showing negligence towards the plight of farmers and demanded that adequate relief be provided to all affected cultivators.
He pointed out that the prices of maize, soybean, and green gram have fallen drastically. The government should take steps to procure maize and soybean at the declared support price. The price of maize, which was earlier ₹2,500 per quintal, has now dropped to ₹1,500. He urged the government to immediately release the support price subsidy.
Fair Price for Sugarcane
Bommai also mentioned that sugarcane growers in Bagalkote, Belagavi, and Vijayapura districts are staging protests demanding a fair price from sugar factories. However, the factory owners are not responding. He insisted that the State Government should intervene and fix the price at ₹3,500 per tonne as demanded by the farmers and direct factories to announce and begin the crushing process.
He warned that if these three crucial measures are not implemented, farmers will be pushed into deeper distress. “If the government, which claims to be pro-farmer, fails to act, it will have to face a massive farmers’ protest,” he cautioned.
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Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
