Samyukta Horata Karnataka calls for ‘Kalaburagi Bandh’ on August 17 in bid to declare drought

Members of Samyukta Horata Karnataka at a press conference in Kalaburagi on Sunday (July 26). | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Members of Samyukta Horata Karnataka on August 17 demand that Kalaburagi district and the entire Kalyana region of Karnataka be drought-stricken and implement comprehensive measures to help farmers and rural communities affected by the prolonged drought.

Sharanabasappa Mamshetty, Bhimashankar Madiyal and RG Shetgar said at a joint press conference in Kalaburagi town on Sunday (July 26) that the Kalaburagi band will be supported by Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha, Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association, All India Farmers Organization Rataka Pranha Sangha and several other organizations Karna Kishan Pran Sabha.

Mr. Shetgar said the drought has devastated agriculture, depleted groundwater, dried up standing crops and created an acute drinking water crisis across the district. The lack of work in the countryside has forced many villagers to migrate to urban areas in search of livelihood.

He demanded distribution of free seeds and fertilizers for the coming rabies season, drought compensation of ₹50,000 per acre to all affected farmers, including sugarcane growers, and immediate settlement of pending crop insurance claims.

Mr. Mamshetty demanded removal of credit certification requirement from nationalized banks for processing crop insurance claims, arguing that the rule prevents many farmers from getting insurance benefits. He also urged the nationalized banks to extend the repayment periods of farm loans and called for a complete waiver of farm loans. He also demanded compensation and support for the families of farmers who ended their lives due to debts and crop losses.

Mr. Mamshetty accused the state government of failing to ensure Karnataka’s share of 15 tmcft of water from the Ujani reservoir in Maharashtra, resulting in drying up of the Bhima river and affecting irrigation and drinking water. He urged the center to intervene and solve the problem.

To deal with the worsening water and cattle crisis, the members of Samyukta Horata Karnataka sought immediate supply of drinking water to drought-affected villages, opening of cattle camps with adequate fodder and release of pending payments of widow, old age and disability pensions.

They also urged the government to carry out cloud seeding operations, saying farmers were unable to start kharif sowing and that rain-fed crops, including green gram and black gram, suffered widespread damage.

Mr Madiyal said the ‘Kalaburagi bandh’ on August 17 would be a united protest against the delay in declaring drought and implementing relief measures, warning that the agitation would intensify if the government did not act.

Published – 26 Jul 2026 19:06 IST