Farmers opposed Veeresh panel report, claims CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Indirectly taking a dig at senior Congress leader Mr S.M. Krishna, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the reason Dr Veeresh Committee recommendations were not implemented was the strong opposition from farmers.

Mr Krishna during his visit to Mandya on Friday to console grief-stricken farmer families, had said if the Veeresh panel report had been implemented, it would have reduced the distress of farmers.

Talking to reporters in Mandya on Sunday, the CM said though Dr Veeresh submitted his report in April 2002 when Mr Krishna was CM, the recommendations were not implemented by the then government in view of strong opposition from farmers.

Asked whether his government would own responsibility for over 80 deaths of farmers since April this year, Mr Siddaramaiah retorted that the government cannot be blamed since efforts were made to prevent them. Even the government does not know the reason for so many farmers ending their lives especially in June and July.

A committee of officials has been constituted to find the reason for the suicides since April. Besides, a committee headed by Dr M.S. Swaminathan would be constituted to suggest measures to keep farmers happy. A drive against private lenders had been launched and 50 cases were reported in Mandya district.

“We will not spare any lender who charges more than 14 per cent interest for secured loans and 16 per cent for unsecured loan.”