Vijayendra demands compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for drought-affected farmers in North Karnataka

BJP state president BY Vijayendra says that due to deficit rainfall, over 30 lakh hectares of agricultural land has remained unsown, affecting farmers in districts like Bidar, Kalaburagi and Yadgir. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

BJP state president BY Vijayendra on Monday urged the state government to pay compensation of at least ₹50,000 per acre to drought-affected farmers in the North Karnataka region.

Addressing presspersons at the Bidar airport, Mr. Vijayendra said the state government had failed to respond to the distress faced by farmers in the region.

He said the lack of rainfall has left more than 30 lakh ha of agricultural land unsown and affected farmers in districts like Bidar, Kalaburagi and Yadgir.

He said the region received only about 12% of normal rainfall and said farmers were unable to sow the main kharif crops, including red gram, sunflower and cotton.

Referring to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s recent visit to Basavakalyan, Mr. Vijayendra called it a mere “photoshoot”. He said his visit was followed by no relief measures for drought-affected farmers.

Mr. Vijayendra also urged the state government to release the remaining funds for the Anubhava Mantapa project. He said the previous BJP government led by BS Yediyurappa had sanctioned ₹300 crore in two installments, initially ₹100 crore and subsequently ₹200 crore, for the project estimated to cost ₹500 crore.

He said that the Anubhava Mantapa project had made little progress during the last three years and urged Mr. Shivakumar to immediately release the remaining funds to complete the project at the earliest.

Mr. Vijayendra said his party would also discuss organizational preparedness in view of the upcoming zilla panchayat and other local body elections.

The BJP will hold consultations with district leaders, MLAs and senior functionaries to outline a strategy, he added.

Responding to a question about internal conflicts within the Bidar district unit of the BJP, Mr. Vijayendra said the party’s central committee would meet to discuss the issues and work for an amicable solution.

Refuting allegations of any “politics of accommodation” between BJP and Congress legislators in Bidar, he said the BJP would continue to highlight issues related to farmers and the public.

He added that the party’s core committee would prepare a plan for leaders at the district and state levels to address farmers’ issues.

Published – 13 Jul 2026 19:11 IST