Kalaburagi – The Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti organized a district-wide bandh in Kalaburagi on Monday, demanding urgent relief for farmers hit by recent floods and relentless rainfall. The protest, marked by widespread shutdowns, sought a special financial package, loan waivers, and compensation for crop losses.
Farmer leader Dayanand Patil, speaking to ANI, said the protest symbolized growing frustration among farmers who feel neglected despite severe damage to their fields. He reiterated three key demands waiving of agricultural loans, financial support through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), and compensation of Rs 25,000 per acre for affected farmers. “The rainfall has destroyed livelihoods, but the government’s response has been slow,” Patil stated.
Responding to the situation, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and district in-charge, Priyank Kharge, visited the flood-affected areas to assess the damage. Kharge acknowledged the scale of the disaster, noting that Kalaburagi has been witnessing rainfall levels comparable to the Malenadu region. He assured farmers that the government would conduct a detailed survey before providing compensation and relief.
Authorities have already set up a care center for residents whose homes were inundated by the overflowing Bhima River. Kharge emphasized that both the state government and the district administration are coordinating to provide swift assistance, ensure safety, and restore normalcy in the region.
The bandh has drawn attention to the deepening agrarian distress in northern Karnataka, where recurring floods have compounded the financial struggles of farmers, intensifying calls for immediate state intervention and sustainable relief measures.