Mysuru, 20 September

Kuruburu Shanthakumar, President of the State Sugarcane Growers' Association, urged the State government to waive loans to farmers amid the drought-like conditions in several regions of the State. 

“Why does the government, which waives loans when industries face losses, feel embarrassed to waive farmers' loans?” he stated in a press release. 

He demanded that the government provides crop loss compensation of Rs 25,000 per acre to farmers in drought-hit areas. 

“If the government lacks funds, MLAs and Ministers should forgo drawing their salaries,” he stated. 

Adding that “AI technology does not support supply fodder,” he also urged the government to open fodder banks for cattle and ensure that there was adequate supply to agricultural pumps – something that is becoming a key issue as places like Mysuru are facing constant power outages due to the drought. 

“Stop playing games,” he warned the State government and Opposition parties.