Davanagere: The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), on June 16, threatened to hold a protest against the tactics used to delay the disbursement of debt relief to farmers by the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government in the state.
Speaking to media, KRRS President Chamara Malipatil said that the members of the farmers’ organisation would hold protests at every district centres on Monday, June 18.
“On May 30, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy spoke to the farmers’ unions and promised farm loan waiver within 15 days. So far nothing has been done”, he alleged.
KRRS president said that the farmers had to pay an instalment by June 16 to avail the zero interest rate and the indecision of the government on the matter had farmers worried. “Farmers are also facing financial difficulties to start new farming activities”, he told a news conference on Saturday.
“Congress has provided an unconditional support for the coalition government. So there should be no problem in going ahead with the loan waiver”, he said and appealed to the Congress to cooperate on the farm debt waiver.
Farmers were unable to repay loans because of the loss they incurred due to the natural disasters and low prices for agricultural produce in the free market, Malipatil said. “This is the main reason why the government should waive off farm loans”, he opined.
