Janata Dal (Secular) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy has issued a scathing call to the Congress-led Karnataka government, demanding an immediate waiver of farmers’ loans in the wake of catastrophic crop damage caused by relentless rains and floods across the state. Accusing the government of neglecting distressed farmers, Nikhil announced that a JD(S) team, comprising party legislators and former leaders, will tour affected regions next week to assess the devastation and submit a detailed report pressing for urgent relief measures.

Speaking to reporters, Nikhil, the JD(S) youth wing president, highlighted the severe impact of 34% excess rainfall in regions like Kittur, Kalyana Karnataka, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Shivamogga, which has obliterated crops across an estimated 1,42,000 hectares, with 70% of the damage concentrated in north Karnataka’s cotton and pulses belt. “Farmers are in distress, and the government has failed them,” he charged, pointing out that no ministers, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah or Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, have visited the flood-ravaged areas or offered any reassurance.

Nikhil lambasted the government for prioritizing extravagant purchases, alleging that Shivakumar held discussions about acquiring a chopper or private jet costing up to Rs 150 crore while ignoring farmers’ plight. “When they have time to discuss luxury purchases, why not for farmers facing ruin?” he questioned. He also criticized the government’s meager compensation offer of Rs 6,800 per hectare under NDRF norms, far below the Rs 20,000-25,000 per hectare demanded by farmers to cover their losses.

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Further, Nikhil accused the state of failing to supply adequate urea during June and July, forcing farmers to buy from the black market at exorbitant rates of Rs 1,000-1,200 per bag against the standard Rs 266. “The agriculture minister is in deep slumber,” he remarked, holding the state accountable for exacerbating farmers’ woes.

Citing his father, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who waived farmers’ loans during his tenure as chief minister, Nikhil urged the government to follow suit and relieve the crushing debt burden on farmers. “They’ve taken huge loans and are struggling to survive. The government must act responsibly and waive these loans,” he insisted. The JD(S) plans to intensify pressure on the Congress government after its statewide tour, vowing to present a comprehensive report to ensure farmers receive the support they desperately need to recover from this crisis.

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