Bengaluru: The Centre has responded to the request of newly appointed Karnataka Agriculture Minister P.M. Narendra Swamy, with Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assuring that he would visit the state in the first week of September and tour at least one drought-hit district, according to a statement issued by Minister Narendra Swamy.
Narendra Swamy met Chouhan in New Delhi on Wednesday and discussed the agricultural problems faced by Karnataka due to deficient rainfall, along with the need to extend the deadline for farmers to enrol under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) until the end of August.
The Agriculture Minister also brought to Chouhan’s attention Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an extension of the deadline for farmers to enrol under the crop insurance scheme.
During the meeting, Chouhan assured Narendra Swamy that he would not only visit Karnataka but also take steps to address the problems arising from the shortage of rainfall in the state.
Narendra Swamy said that farmers were facing difficulties as the deadline for crop insurance enrolment was nearing.
“In view of the situation, orders have already been issued to provide interim compensation in 666 crop insurance units,” he added.
“The state is implementing all centrally sponsored schemes effectively. We are also in continuous contact with the Centre and our government is committed to protecting the interests of Karnataka’s farmers,” Minister Narendra Swamy said.
Responding to questions on whether water would be released to farmers for irrigation while Karnataka continues to release water to Tamil Nadu, the Karnataka Minister added that there was no need for the Union government to conceal any information regarding water availability for agricultural activities.
“There is only 109 feet of water in the KRS reservoir. This is not sufficient for Karnataka’s farmers even to grow one crop,” he said.
He added that the situation had become more difficult after the Supreme Court upheld the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority directing Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu.
“Rain is the only solution to this problem now,” Narendra Swamy said.
He added that releasing water for agricultural activities would be difficult under the prevailing circumstances.
“We will hold a meeting and take a decision on releasing water based on availability,” the Minister said.
(IANS)
