BJP Criticizes Congress Over Rs 600 Crore Unpaid Incentives to Karnataka Dairy Farmers
Source: DairyNews.today
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of failing to fulfill its promises to dairy farmers, as unpaid incentives under the Ksheeradhaare scheme continue to mount. Dairy farmers in the state have reported that they have not received their promised incentives for over six months, despite the scheme's provisions.
According to the Ksheeradhaare scheme, the state government is obligated to pay dairy farmers Rs 5 per litre of milk supplied. However, Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh acknowledged in the Assembly that incentives for the period between June and October 2024, amounting to Rs 606.69 crore, remain unpaid. The delay is reportedly due to a proposal awaiting clearance from the Finance Department. Minister Venkatesh assured that the government plans to settle the outstanding payments in installments.
The delay has sparked frustration among farmers, with many alleging that the Congress government has failed to meet its commitments. BJP Leader of Opposition, R. Ashoka, criticized the government for its inaction. In a post on social media platform X, Ashoka stated, “Forget increasing the dairy farmers’ incentive to Rs 6 per litre as promised during elections, the government has not paid Rs 606.69 crore to farmers. This also includes dues to SC and ST farmers. More than 1,200 farmers have committed suicide in the last 18 months under the Congress government.”
The Ksheeradhaare scheme, launched in 2008, initially provided Rs 2 per litre to farmers, which was later increased to Rs 5 per litre in 2016. Ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, Congress had promised to raise the incentive to Rs 7 per litre, but the promised hike has yet to be implemented.
The delay has sparked frustration among farmers, with many alleging that the Congress government has failed to meet its commitments. BJP Leader of Opposition, R. Ashoka, criticized the government for its inaction. In a post on social media platform X, Ashoka stated, “Forget increasing the dairy farmers’ incentive to Rs 6 per litre as promised during elections, the government has not paid Rs 606.69 crore to farmers. This also includes dues to SC and ST farmers. More than 1,200 farmers have committed suicide in the last 18 months under the Congress government.”
The Ksheeradhaare scheme, launched in 2008, initially provided Rs 2 per litre to farmers, which was later increased to Rs 5 per litre in 2016. Ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, Congress had promised to raise the incentive to Rs 7 per litre, but the promised hike has yet to be implemented.
