Hassan: JD(S) state president Nihal Kumaraswamy accused the government of completely failing to respond to farmers' hardships despite the state being hit by a severe drought.

Speaking to journalists today in Channarayapatna of Hassan district, he said that although the government had announced a relief of 2,500 (two thousand five hundred) rupees for farmers, no official government order has been issued even after months. He said that it is not possible to alleviate the hardships of food producers with just 2,500 rupees, and the government should immediately implement the measures, not limit itself to statements.

He criticized the state government for shifting responsibility by citing the central government's NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) guidelines, and urged the state government to immediately come forward to assist farmers and provide appropriate compensation for crop losses.