Karnataka is willing to share the burden of loan waiver if the Center announces it: DK Shivakumar

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru Legislative Assembly on Thursday | Photo credit: special arrangement

Amid a demand by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) for an announcement of farm loan waiver by the Karnataka government, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the state is willing to share the financial burden of the loan waiver if the Union government makes such an announcement.

“Let’s come together and ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce loan waiver. We will give our share. We will stop grants for other schemes. There can be an understanding on the Centre-State ratio in the loan waiver. We are ready even for 60:40,” the Chief Minister told the Legislature, even as Leader of Opposition R. Ashok. “I don’t want a confrontation during the dry season,” the chief minister said.

His reply came after Mr. Ashok asked him not to become a “promise king”. Quoting the Chief Minister’s recent statement in Kalaburagi about considering the loan waiver, the Opposition Leader said, “Don’t miss a good opportunity to enter the history books by announcing the loan waiver. You are being labeled as a real estate advocate. You decide what you want to be a brand ambassador, real estate or agriculture? Announce at least compensation2.05” at least you announce compensation.

Mr. Shivakumar hit back and accused the BJP of not caring about the poor or the farmers. “They (BJP) wanted to play politics and did not participate in the (monsoon) session. I would not have called this session if I did not care about farmers.”

On Mr Ashok’s mockery of real estate, he said: “I belong to Bengaluru and I have property here. Shouldn’t I be doing business? I don’t care how you label me.”

Food for 33 weeks

Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara had earlier said that the state has fodder stock for 33 weeks and fodder kits are being supplied to farmers who have access to water.

“If the situation worsens, we will open fodder banks and cattle goshalas. About ₹409 crore is available with deputy commissioners.”

Dr. Parameshwara also accused the Center of not responding to the state’s communication and urged the Center to send a drought assessment team. “We have written to the center 10 times to revise the 2020 Drought Manual but there has been no word,” he said.

Published – 24 Sep 2026 22:41 IST