He was speaking at a programme at Kolar zilla panchayath auditorium on Friday after distributing subsidy and equipments to farmers.
“ In the current fiscal year the district has been distributed Rs40 lakh subsidy. Rs 6 crore subsidy has been sanctioned. Based on seniority all the farmers who have submitted the application will be sanctioned subsidy. Strict action will be taken against officials who fail to distribute subsidy based on seniority. The balance 80 per cent of subsidy for the district will be distributed at the earliest,” he said
“ Under the silk Vardan project during 2006-07 Rs 11.77 crore subsidy was was sanctioned and the district received Rs 3.53 crore. Under Catalytic Development project for drip irrigation Rs 4.75 crore subsidy was given for the last two years. For silk reelers a total of Rs 17.13 crore subsidy has been distributed during 2005 -06.
‘I am also a sericulturist. I have known the problems of farmers by personal experience. A proposal has been prepared and submitted to the Finance Department to increase the subsidy for worm rearing sheds. The highlight of the proposal is that each farmer should get a minimum of Rs one lakh.
‘A tender has been called to install cameras at Ramnagar, Shidlaghatta sericulture markets for vigilance purposes. This will prevent farmers from being cheated, ‘ he said.
‘In the auction of silk cocoons the traders must give up the ten paise slab and opt for Rs one, which will benefit the farmers. The amendment to Silk Act will be detrimental to the interest of the farmers and a recommendation to this effect is under preparation to be submitted by the department”, he informed. MLC Y A Narayana Swamy said the district sericulturists should get a special package in the next budget.
Chinnapur Narayana Swamy of District Sericulturists Development Association and Sabhir Pasha of Kolar Multi-end Silk Reelers Association submitted memorandums to the Minister.
Felicitation
Progressive farmers from Bangarpet taluk Karahalli Raghunath Gowda, Madamangala S Ramesh, Kurubarahalli Chalapathi, Kolar taluk Jangalahalli Munisonnappa, Ankatatti M Govinda Swamy, Tippasandra R Krishnappa, Dodda Kurubarahalli Munivenkatappa, Shahid nagar Siraj Ahmed, Srinivaspur taluk Yeldur Harinath Babu, Malur taluk Madapur Gangaraju were felicitated by the Minister on the occasion. ZP president M Srinivasan, vice-president Naveeda Khan, CEO G V Ranga Rao and others were present.
Unhappy about style of working
The farmers expressed their unhappiness against deputy director Dr K B Shanthamurthy’s style of working. Krishik Samaj president D L Nagaraj said the programme was organised totally neglecting the farmers and urged the government to suspend officials who are anti-farmers.