Bengaluru, 25 September

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly R Ashoka on Friday said that the Rs 2,500 the State government will provide as input subsidy to each drought-hit farmer was an “insult and mockery” of the farming community. He argued that the relief should be given on a per-acre basis, rather than a flat subsidy. 

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara had said that the first-phase assistance is expected to benefit around 45-50 lakh farmers and will cost the State exchequer about Rs 1,250 crore. The next phase will be decided based on the Union Government’s assistance. 

The Congress has warned that over 200 of the 240-odd taluks in Karnataka may soon be declared drought-hit, up from the current 177, and has sought assistance from the Centre. 

But Ashoka countered, claiming that “cultivating one acre costs at least Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 for seeds, ploughing, labour, weeding, and irrigation.” 

“What justice is there in saying Rs 2,500 has solved farmers’ distress? Sowing seed itself costs thousands of rupees. Add ploughing, labour and water, and the expense runs into tens of thousands,” he told reporters, noting that Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries get Rs 2,000.