Farm workers urge govt. to launch drought relief works immediately

Farm workers in Dharwad stage protest march demanding immediate launch of drought relief works. Complaining that no funds have been released under NDRF and SDRF, they urge govt. to extend MGNREGA works for entire year, waive crop loans and school/college fees for farmers' children.

Seeking the immediate launch of drought relief works, farm workers took out a protest march and staged a demonstration under the aegis of All India Krishi Karmikara Sanghatane in Dharwad on Thursday.

Staging the demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, they complained that although all the eight taluks in Dharwad district have been declared severely drought-hit, drought relief works have not begun in most of the taluks.

They said that although months have passed after the drought study teams visited the district and survey was taken up, no funds have been released under NDRF and SDRF.

Addressing the protestors, district president of the sanghatane Deepa Dharwad said that instead of helping farmers and farm workers by releasing funds and initiating drought relief works, both the Central and State governments are engaged in mudslinging.

The situation is alarming in several villages as people have no work and are facing scarcity of drinking water and fodder for cattle.

In the tussle between the two governments, the farmers have been completely neglected, she said.

She said that the governments are least bothered to address the burning issue and have not released a single rupee towards compensation.