Farmers across Karnataka have expressed anger and confusion over alleged discrepancies in the drought relief funds credited to their bank accounts, with several claiming they received less than the Rs 2,500 promised by the state government as the first instalment of input subsidy.
The state government had announced a total drought relief of Rs 5,000 per eligible farmer to be disbursed in two instalments of Rs 2,500 each. The first instalment was rolled out across 226 drought-affected taluks in the state. However, within hours of the direct benefit transfer, complaints began surfacing from multiple districts, particularly Yadgir and Gadag, where farmers reported receiving only Rs 1,500 or Rs 2,000.
The issue came to light prominently in Yadgir district after Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, during his visit on November 5, announced that the relief amount had been increased to Rs 5,000 per farmer and formally launched the transfer of the first instalment of Rs 2,500. Farmers were expecting the full amount, but bank account credits showed varying figures.
According to official data, Chief Minister Shivakumar had released Rs 17.43 crore for 1.06 lakh farmers in Yadgir district alone, calculated at the rate of Rs 2,500 per farmer. The government had intended the assistance to provide some relief during the Diwali festival season. While farmers have welcomed the overall decision to provide Rs 5,000, the uneven disbursement has led to widespread disappointment.
In Mudabool village of Shahapur taluk in Yadgir, several farmers shared similar experiences. Progressive farmer and state award-winning agriculturist Ashok Rao Mallabadi said many farmers in his village received Rs 2,000 or Rs 1,500 instead of the promised amount.”When the Chief Minister himself announced Rs 2,500 as the first instalment and assured that the remaining Rs 2,500 would be released in the second instalment, why are some farmers receiving only half the promised amount? We want to know the basis for these partial payments,” Mallabadi questioned.
Another farmer, Basanna Kalappa Channapatna, said he visited his bank on Monday after receiving an SMS about the credit. Bank officials told him it was the first instalment of the government’s input subsidy. When he asked why only Rs 1,500 had been credited, officials reportedly said they had no information on the calculation.Similarly, Mallikarjun Busa, also from Mudabool, said Rs 2,000 was credited to his Karnataka Grameena Bank account on Monday morning, leaving him confused about the remaining Rs 500.”
The development has triggered a political slugfest. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy of the BJP, strongly criticised the Congress government. He alleged that the government was treating farmers like beggars under the pretext of implementing guarantee schemes.
“Nobody is waiting for your Rs 2,000. This is a government that betrays people. Its attitude is that it can do whatever it wants. The government appears to have already decided that it has only one year left,” he alleged.
The Janata Dal (Secular) also attacked the government, questioning why farmers were promised Rs 2,500 but received only Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 in reality. In a statement, the party questioned the Shivakumar government over the reduction and demanded immediate release of the full promised amount, stating that farmers already struggling with drought should not face further injustice.
Responding to the controversy, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge acknowledged that discrepancies had been reported from Yadgir and Gadag districts.”We have received information that some farmers have not received the full amount. Since banks are closed today, I will collect details tomorrow. We will resolve the issue,” Kharge said, assuring farmers that the matter would be looked into.
Minister M.B. Patil also said the issue had not yet come to his notice but assured that the government would investigate the reason for the short payment and fulfil its promise.
Farmers’ groups have now demanded transparency in the calculation and disbursement process and urged the government to immediately credit the remaining amount to those who received less. They have also sought a district-wise list of beneficiaries and the amounts credited to avoid confusion.
