Pro-farmer budget for K'taka? What the HDK govt conveyed through Governor’s address

As a shot in the arm for Kumaraswamy, the JD(S)-Congress coalition’s coordination committee has okayed his ambitious farm loan waiver scheme.
Pro-farmer budget for K'taka? What the HDK govt conveyed through Governor’s address
Pro-farmer budget for K'taka? What the HDK govt conveyed through Governor’s address
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Ahead of HD Kumaraswamy announcing his first budget on July 5 in his second stint as the Karnataka CM, Governor Vajubhai Vala’s address to the joint legislative session in Karnataka on Monday signalled a pro-farmer budget. The Karnataka Assembly budget session started fromMonday.

The issue of farmers occupied the majority of the Governor’s speech, which according to established norms is prepared by the state government. Already, as a shot in the arm for Kumaraswamy, the JD(S)-Congress coalition’s coordination committee has okayed his ambitious farm loan waiver scheme.

“My government will take constructive steps to work for the farming community, is what I believe. My government will carry forward the policies of the previous government and will work to protect all citizens of Karnataka and will also pave a new path for the same. It will work for the benefit and development of backward classes, youth, women and farmers. My government will work for both rural and urban development,” Vala said addressing the MLAs and MLCs.

He continued, “Farmer is the backbone of our state. My government will work to protect the rights of farmers. Priority of government is to provide and equip them with the latest technology. Farmers should not only be dependent on monsoon but also be able to use available water resources for farming. Farmers’ future and present faces losses caused by drought and flood and they do not get income from present yield as well. Therefore, my government will work towards decreasing the issues and problems faced by farmers. And will introduce new schemes to help development.”

Owing to the high number of farmer suicides in the state following three consecutive drought years, the Governor urged farmers not to take the extreme step saying the “days of sorrow will be gone soon”.

“My government wishes that Karnataka farmers adopt the Israel model of agricultural methods. Government officials will go to the farmers’ lands to provide them information about weather and water to help in their farming. We have to improve our agricultural organisation and policies. Need to encourage indigenous crops. Need to bring in modern technology. My government is prepared to tackle issues of farmers. Days of sorrow will be gone soon. My government will be the voice of voiceless farmers. I appeal to farmers to avoid the option of suicide in any way possible,” Vala said.

Other than the issue of farmers, the Governor’s speech concentrated on the reservation in jobs for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region and promised development of the backward region. “Benefit and development of backward classes, youth, women” was also promised in the Governor’s address.

Vala assured that in the next five years, the number of female police officers will rise and Nirbhaya centres for the welfare of women will be set up.

“Our aim is to reduce infant mortality rate in the state. Will aim to give jobs to retired officers of the armed forces,” he said.

He also stressed on importance of education and said education would be made compuslory for children.  

In other developments during the session on Monday, the Congress managed to play hardball and ensure that SR Patil got the post of Chairman of the Legislative Council.

Jayamala Ramachandra from was elected as the leader of the Legislative Council while in a balancing act JD(S)’ Chowda Reddy was elected as chief whip in council.

From the BJP, Mahantesh Kavatagimath was elected as the opposition whip. Kota Srinivas Poojary was elected as the leader of the opposition.

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