CM asks PM why he is not concerned about K'taka farmers

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: As Karnataka reels from acute drought, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why he did not show any concern for the state's farmers in the same manner that he rushes to the aid of the international community in their difficult time.

Quoting media reports that India announced USD 1 million aid to Papua New Guinea after a volcanic eruption and USD 250 million Line of Credit for Kenya to upgrade its agriculture, Siddaramaiah said the Prime Minister's silence on the drought situation in Karnataka raises concern that not all states and their citizens are treated equally in the face of adversity.

"We don't have any opposition to @narendramodi extending help to other countries; he is merely upholding a legacy of India's aid diplomacy & soft power diplomacy, a practice that dates back to the pre-independence era and has continued ever since,” the Chief Minister said.

“Our question, however, is this: Why does Modi not exhibit the same level of concern for our farmers who have suffered crop losses due to drought? Why do the Kannadigas not deserve a response from the Union BJP government to their letter seeking compensation?” he asked.

Siddaramaiah said the central government has not yet convened a preliminary meeting to provide relief to farmers of the state.

As a result, emergency measures have been taken by the state, releasing crop relief funds of up to Rs 2,000 each to eligible farmers in the first phase.