Mysuru: Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday visited various drought-hit areas in Mysuru district to review the drought situation and crop loss caused by deficit rainfall in the state and heard farmers’ grievances.During the drought inspection at Kanchugaran Koppalu village in KR Nagar taluk, the DCM interacted with farmers and sought information on crop loss due to lack of rain, impact on agricultural activities and the hardships faced by them.Officials brought to his notice that crops like ragi, jowar and tobacco have withered at the germination stage itself due to failure of rain.Assuring that govt will extend necessary assistance to farmers in distress due to drought, Parameshwara said a comprehensive report on crop loss will be prepared and submitted to Union govt. The Centre will be requested to ensure more compensation under NDRF, he said, adding existing NDRF norms will be relaxed and Union govt will be urged to provide relief to severely drought-affected taluks.At a time when farmers are in financial distress due to drought, microfinance institutions should not harass them in the name of loan recovery. Stringent legal action will be taken against institutions violating the rules framed by govt, the DCM warned.KR Nagar MLA D Ravishankar, DC G Lakshmikanth Reddy, joint director of agriculture K H Ravi and officials of various departments were present.Parameshwara said Ambedkar Bhavan will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 6.5 crore at KR Nagar. Interacting with locals during his drought-affected areas tour, he cleared confusion over the construction of Ambedkar Bhavan in the town.The DCM said he has instructed officials and the contractor to complete the work at the earliest.
