Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
C 
hief Minister Siddaramaiah said that they will not cling to power.Protecting the interests of farmers is more important to him than power.He also assured to look into the interests of the farmers in any situation.
The CM visited the Mandya District Farmers’ Welfare Committee and other organizations who were protesting.He responded to their demands after receiving a memorandum by farmers .
We are facing severe drought this year.The rain has completely stopped.Hence,we are in a year of trouble without the water in reservoirs.
Order has been passed to release 177.25 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu. And there is an order to release certain amount of water every month.
We have strongly presented our case to the Cauvery Authority and the Committee that there is no water, so the water cannot be released.
However, first they asked to release 5000 cusecs of water, then the order came to release 3000 cusecs of water. We did not agree to that either.
Now 2600 cusecs of water has been ordered to be released yesterday.But first priority is given to drinking water and sustaining crops .
We will try our best to save the Monsoon crop. I am a son of a farmer who had joined the farmers’ struggle, I too belong to the same region.
Hence I understand the plight of farmers very well. I will not fall behind in helping farmers.I will not sacrifice farmers are for the sake of power.The CM clarified that we will not cling to power.
He assured that serious and practical steps will be taken for the welfare of the farmers.
The CM said Rs.50 crore has been released to Mysugar Factory for the benefit of sugarcane growers and he reassured the farmers that he would stand by their side and they should not have any doubt in it.
Agriculture Minister Chaluvarayaswamy, MLAs Ravi Ganiga, Dinesh Gooligowda, Narendraswamy and many other leaders heard the demands of the protestors.
