Severe drought impacts lives, and will influence the poll in Mandya in south Karnataka

In a district that is the fulcrum of Vokkaliga politics, where water is also an emotional issue and people are known for their strong political views, the Centre-State spat over the release of drought relief seems to be an issue

Around noon, Krishne Gowda sits idle at his Chandrashekara Rice Mill in Keelara in Mandya district of south Karnataka, waiting for farmers to get their paddy for hulling. Arrivals are down to a trickle following a decline in crop production due to drought.

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“Harvesting starts around November-December, and we would get paddy till about May. In the past, on an average, over 30 farmers would come daily. The number has dwindled to two or three farmers, as the crop was meagre. Even then, the quantity coming in is hardly 40 to 50 kg, a decline from more than a quintal (100 kg) that each farmer would bring. My mill is barely operational. I have reduced my staff from six to two. To top it all, the minimum user charge has gone up from ₹2,300 to ₹9,500,” says Mr. Gowda whose mill is located in drought-hit Mandya district.

Highly dependent on water from the historic Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) reservoir across river Cauvery, a large part of the irrigated regions in the district are known for paddy and sugarcane. Many farmers did not cultivate paddy during the last kharif though government released water after initially asking farmers not to cultivate paddy. The depleting water level at KRS did not provide any scope for the late rabi crop.

In a district that is the fulcrum of Vokkaliga politics, where water is also an emotional issue and people are known for their strong political views, the Centre-State spat over the release of drought relief seems to be an issue. The focus of political narratives in the intensely fought election, in which former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is in the fray as the BJP-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance candidate, has been on the ‘ill-effects’ of guarantees versus the ‘much-needed sustenance’ it has provided in a drought year.

“The State Government has stopped contribution of ₹4,000 in Kissan Samman in which Centre pays ₹6,000. The ₹2,000 given as drought relief by the State is peanuts. Why should the government spend so much on guarantees and point towards the Centre for drought relief?” said Panchalingu in Keregodu. “Farmers are selling cow dung to make some money though they require it for their land. For a small amount of cash, some are even pawning their jewellery with local money-lenders.”

Contradicting him is Lakshmamma, in her 50s, who makes a living as a dairy farmer in Keelara. She argued that the guarantees, especially the Gruha Lakshmi, has helped her run the family in this drought year. While she does not have land, she struggles to manage fodder for her three cows. “I don’t know politics, but all I know is that the Congress government is giving women money that is helping to run their families. Most women in the village are happy with the guarantees.”