Opp gives stormy start to Monsoon Session of Karnataka Assembly

As anticipated, the issue of farmers’ suicide, especially death of sugarcane farmers, has made the major Opposition parties both BJP and JDS to turn up the heat on the two-year-old Congress Government in Karnataka.The first day of the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Assembly which began in Suvarna Soudha at the border city Belagavi on Monday was stormy and Opposition parties blasted Siddaramaiah Government on recurring farmers’ suicides in Karnataka. The Opposition accused the Government of  being “irresponsible” and “careless” in addressing the issues concerning peasants. The Government had to face the heat both outside and inside the House, as many farmers associations are protesting outside demanding payment for sugarcane farmers.

Giving a stormy start to the monsoon session, the opening day was marred by protests by a united Opposition over Government’s alleged failure, which BJP leader Jagadish Shettar charged had left the farmers with no other option but to commit suicide.

After the obituary references were made by Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa to members who died recently,  the leader of Opposition, BJP’s Jagadish Shettar raised the issue of farmer’s suicide and non-payment of dues by sugar mills to  sugarcane farmers. He directly charged the Government for recurring farmer’s suicide.

He charged the Government of being “irresponsible” and “careless” in addressing the issues faced by farmers, and said, “This attitude has left farmers with no option other than committing suicide.”Both the Opposition parties, BJP and JDS demanded that the Government immediately take steps to pay dues to cane farmers to the tune of `960 crore.

The Opposition parties did not budge to the intervention of Speaker who asked them to allow Question Hour.Both BJP and JDS wanted Government to pay sugarcane famers due as promised in the last session by the government. Senior Congress Ministers RV Deshpande and TB Jayachandra and other Congress leaders defended the Government, leading to verbal exchange between both the sides. Intervening, Siddaramaiah said Government is ready for discussion and added, “our Government is pro-poor and farmer friendly.”

During heated exchanges, BJP members entered the well of the House shouting slogans against the government and were joined by JD(S) members.  The Speaker then allowed discussion on the issue after which the Opposition withdrew their protest.

In the legislative Council also, the Opposition BJP and JDS demanded immediate payment of dues to sugarcane growers.The session of Assembly and Council is being held from today till July 10 in Belagavi and from July 13 to 24 in Bengaluru.The  recurring Sugar cane farmers death has brought once again the apathy of the government which failed to pay the promised due of Rupees over 900 crores and so far nothing has been done as many sugar mills are controlled by politicians belonging to all political parties. More than five farmers have taken to extreme step   in this week alone due to financial stress putting ruling government in a spot. eom/blr