B.Y. Vijayendra, the BJP state president of Karnataka, urged the Congress‑led government to pay at least ₹50,000 per acre to farmers whose lands have been rendered barren by drought. He also criticised the government’s lack of response and called for the release of pending funds for the Anubhava Mantapa project.

Key Takeaways

  • Over 30 lakh acres of farmland lie fallow in North Karnataka
  • Vijayendra seeks ₹50,000 per acre compensation
  • Demand for release of the remaining ₹200 crore for the Anubhava Mantapa project

On Monday at Bidar Airport, B.Y. Vijayendra, the BJP state president, appealed to the Karnataka government to compensate drought‑stricken farmers with a minimum of ₹50,000 per acre. He highlighted that the region received only about 12% of its normal rainfall, leaving more than 30 lakh acres in districts such as Bidar, Kalaburagi and Yadgir uncultivated. As a result, staple kharif crops like pigeonpea, sunflower and cotton could not be sown.

Background: A Growing Water Crisis

Climate‑induced droughts have become a structural challenge for Indian agriculture. In North Karnataka, successive monsoon failures have eroded farmers’ ability to service existing loans; a recent survey by local farmer groups shows that roughly 70% of marginal cultivators have already defaulted on repayment. The shortage of water not only curtails yields but also fuels rural distress and potential social unrest.

Political Response and Criticism

Vijayendra criticised Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s recent visit to Basavakalyan as a mere “photo session”, noting that no substantive relief measures followed the appearance. He also pressed for the immediate release of the remaining funds for the Anubhava Mantapa initiative, a cultural‑educational project initially sanctioned by the former B.S. Yediyurappa government with a total allocation of ₹300 crore in two tranches (₹100 crore and ₹200 crore). The project, estimated at ₹500 crore, has seen little progress over the past three years.

Strategic Moves Ahead of Local Body Elections

Looking ahead to the upcoming Zilla Panchayat and other local‑body polls, Vijayendra announced that the BJP will convene district leaders, MLAs and senior functionaries to craft a focused strategy. He also addressed internal discord within the party’s Bidar unit, promising a core‑committee meeting to resolve the issues and reject any alleged “adjustment politics” with the Congress.

Implications for the Future

If the state does not promptly address compensation and water‑management gaps, North Karnataka could witness heightened agrarian agitation and a shift in voter sentiment. Experts argue that sustainable irrigation, drip‑irrigation incentives, and diversification into less water‑intensive crops are essential to revive the region’s agricultural economy.