Kalaburagi faces political debate over drought relief and farmer compensation

In Kalaburagi, Karnataka, political tensions and agricultural distress have taken center stage. Minister Priyank Kharge criticized opposition leaders, specifically targeting H.D. Kumaraswamy and the BJP, accusing them of making baseless allegations and lacking common sense regarding local governance and political alliances.

Kharge also addressed the drought situation, stating that the state government remains committed to drought management. He noted that while the central government has been criticized for its handling of drought declarations, the state has successfully secured significant crop insurance compensation for the Kalaburagi district.

Simultaneously, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has demanded that the entire Kalaburagi district be officially declared drought-hit. Party leaders submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, citing widespread crop failure due to insufficient rainfall. They argued that the exclusion of Kalaburagi's taluks from previous drought declarations is an injustice to farmers. The BSP is calling for scientific surveys to provide compensation ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per acre, alongside improved water and fodder provisions for livestock.