Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.Okay. Shivakumar together with cupboard colleagues and Congress leaders protest against the Centre’s monetary ‘injustice’ in entrance of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Vidhana Soudha premises on April 28, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.Okay. Shivakumar together with cupboard colleagues and Congress leaders staged a dharna in entrance of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Vidhana Soudha premises on Sunday, April 28, in protest against the ‘meagre’ amount released by the Centre as drought relief.
The Centre on April 28 released ₹3,454 crore as drought relief whereas the State had claimed losses totalling to ₹18,173 crore. This adopted the Centre’s assurance to Supreme Court based mostly on a petition filed by the Karnataka authorities in search of early launch of drought relief. Though Karnataka had requested drought relief in October, the Centre had not released the relief forcing the State Government to knock on the doorways of Supreme Court. While placards had been held and slogans had been raised, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah slammed the Centre for the meagre quantity released as drought relief and continued injustice meted out to the State by the Centre.
Relief as welfare, not alms
Stating that the drought relief was not alms sought by the State Government, the Deputy Chief Minister D.Okay. Shivakumar mentioned that the drought relief was for farmers’ welfare, and that their struggle for increased compensation will proceed earlier than the courtroom and the individuals.
“People are struggling to get work due to prevailing drought. The number of man days under NREGA has not been increased. We did not ask them for their money and we have asked money because State is in distress. We have not asked money for myself or Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Centre has not respected the federal structure.”
“Karnataka sought drought relief in September. Since then, more than ₹50,000 crore losses have been reported. Amid all this, we have given ₹2,000 as initial drought relief (per farmer). Karnataka had to go to Supreme Court to get drought relief, that too a pittance. Only after the rap from the court, ₹3,000 crore has been given. It is not at all enough. Whom can we satisfy with this money? What is the use of paying us now when rains are expected?” mentioned the Deputy Chief Minister, including that the Centre has to pay compensation for losses since September too.
“Lives of people are better because of the four guarantees of the Congress. No one has cheated the State more than the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders,” he added.