BJP sets 8-day deadline for Kalaburagi drought declaration
BJP protests Kalaburagi's exclusion from drought-hit list, citing severe rainfall deficit and flawed official data; threatens bandh if no action in 8 days.
The BJP in Karnataka has escalated its demand for Kalaburagi district to be declared drought-hit, announcing a protest march on Wednesday and setting an eight-day deadline for the state government. If the demand is not met, the party has threatened a 'Kalaburagi bandh'.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, former MLA Rajkumar Patil Telkur and former MP Umesh Jadhav alleged that officials prepared the drought assessment report without proper on-ground verification of taluks. They claimed the report was compiled from office records rather than field visits.
Mr. Telkur also accused the three ministers from Kalaburagi of failing to push for the district's inclusion, suggesting their focus was on the upcoming Cabinet expansion rather than farmers' distress.
Citing Agriculture Department data, Mr. Telkur pointed out that the district received 352.4 mm of rainfall against the normal 438.2 mm between January 1 and August 24. The monthly deficits were stark: 36% in June, 35% in July, and 52% in August. He questioned why the district was excluded when the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms mandate action when rainfall deficiency exceeds 30%.
The former MLA also disputed official sowing figures. While the department claimed 86% of the targeted area was sown, Mr. Telkur said red gram coverage was below 50% of the target, with nearly 40% of the crop requiring re-sowing. He similarly contested black gram (official 64%) and green gram (official 74%) figures, claiming actual coverage was under 20%.
On fertilizer distribution, Mr. Telkur alleged that some Congress workers were diverting supplies to the black market despite adequate stock. Of the 1,21,616 tonnes supplied, 76,242 tonnes had been distributed, leaving 45,374 tonnes in stock.
The BJP will march from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle to the Deputy Commissioner's office on Wednesday. Former MLA Dattatreya Patil Revoor demanded ₹50,000 per acre compensation, a farm loan waiver, and action on the city's drinking water shortage.