Work allocations will be ramped up under VB-G RAM G to prevent farmers’ migration: Minister
Minister Ajay Dharam Singh said that the Karnataka government would immediately ramp up work allocations under MGNREGA, now VB-G RAM G, across Raichur district to
Minister Ajay Dharam Singh said that the Karnataka government would immediately ramp up work allocations under MGNREGA, now VB-G RAM G, across Raichur district to prevent migration of farmers and rural workers. Addressing a press conference at the Guest House on the outskirts of Devadurga in Raichur on Friday (August 7), the Minister stressed that alleviating rural distress and safeguarding the livelihoods of vulnerable farming communities remain the top priorities of the State government. Recalling past interventions, Dr. Singh noted that the then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led administration had declared 211 taluks drought-affected in 2023 to extend immediate relief, reassuring citizens that the government stands equally steadfast beside its farmers in the current crisis.
”Severe drought conditions and persistent lack of rainfall have heavily impacted agricultural activities in Raichur district this season, cutting normal sowing coverage drastically by half,” he said. Against the usual annual sowing area of 5 to 5.5 lakh hectares, cultivation has been restricted to just 2,73,000 hectares (approximately 50%) so far this year. According to reports, major commercial and cash crops have taken the hardest hit. Of the total sown area, cotton accounts for 1,70,000 hectares, while red gram covers around 70,000 hectares. Therefore, local farmers are facing severe financial distress after being forced to attempt sowing two to three times due to dry spells and failing rains, resulting in widespread crop failures and heavy monetary losses, Dr. Singh said.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has formally petitioned the Prime Minister during his visit to Mysuru, seeking enhanced Central financial assistance and comprehensive drought relief allocations for Karnataka. A thorough on-ground evaluation of drought impact across Raichur’s taluks is under way, and would be immediately followed by a high-level review meeting. Key decisions regarding drinking water
supplies, crop loss compensation, insurance disbursements, and agricultural water release from the Tungabhadra reservoir would be finalised during the upcoming Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) meeting. MLA Kariyamma G. Nayak, Deputy Commissioner Poovitha S., Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Eeshwar Kumar Kandoo, Raichur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Zubin Mohapatra, Tahsildar Nagamma Kattamani and senior officials were present.
The BriefWire