Dharwad: The members of Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha, Hasiru Sene held a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here on Wednesday demanding immediate waiver of all kinds of farm loans, implementation of the much expected Mahadayi, Kalasa Banduri Nala Project among other demands.
The farmers, young and old alike including farm women wearing green shawls on their shoulder raised slogans against the lethargic attitude of state government and officials of not catering to the needs of the farmers.
The protesters took out a rally which started from Shivaji circle and passed through Alur circle, Court circle before reaching DC office. Slogans were raised against the “anti-people, anti-farmer policies of the respective governments at the State and the Centre.
Addressing the farming community, Hasiru Sene State President Kodihalli Chandrashekhar alleged that though the Supreme Court had asked both the parties to find an out of the court settlement for Mahadayi water dispute but Prime Minister Narendra Modi had done nothing but keep quiet, though his party is in power in both Maharashtra and Goa.
He asked the prime minister to convene a tripartite meting of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra and try to settle the matter failing which, he warned that the farmers would resume the agitation.
Following drought situation since three years farmers of the region are under distress and hence both the State and Centre should waive farmers’ loans, he stressed.
He also said that now while the district was facing water scarcity, the administration should act and link Kali river water here to quench the thirst of the people. He urged the government to ensure marketing facility for selling buttermilk and tender coconut in public rather than cold drinks.
Rait Sangha leaders and hundreds of farmers were present. Later, a memorandum was sent to both State and Centre through the district administration.
