MYSURU: Revenue minister R V Deshpande directed the deputy commissioners to tour their respective districts extensively to address the problems faced by farmers and ordered them not to take leave till the monsoon ends.Deshpande, who headed a meeting of officers from various departments regarding monsoon-related damages in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts at Zilla Panchayat office on Monday, expressed disappointment over some officers in addressing the problems of farmers affected by crop damage.When Mandya DC N Manjushri said that 376 houses were damaged because of rain in the district, and Rs 3,200 compensation had been given to owners whose houses had suffered up to 15% damages and Rs 5,000 for 30% and above damages, Deshpande said that the amount which is being given is below the guidelines. “Farmers should be given the actual loss incurred due to rain,” he said.However, when farmers complained that heavy rain had damaged electricity transformers in their villages and due to nexus between the local linemen and Cesc officials, the damaged transformers are not being replaced or repaired, Deshpande directed the DCs to tour the districts and to submit a report to him. “DCs should not take leave till the monsoon ends. But then can avail it only during emergencies. The respective DCs should submit report every week, and should conduct video conference on rain damages twice a week,” he said.Speaking at the meeting, agriculture minister N H Shivashankara Reddy clarified that there is no shortage of seeds and fertilizers. “We have enough stock of seeds and fertilizers. Officers have been directed to submit weekly report on the availability of fertilizers,” he added.Stating that 88 farmers have claimed crop insurance in 2016-17, Reddy said that officers have been directed to extend farm insurance to more farmers. He said: “In Mysuru district, 54 hectares of land has been damaged due to rain, affecting crops to the tune of Rs 3.52 lakh. The lost at Chamarajanagar district stands at Rs 9.65 lakh as rain damaged crops grown on 143 hectares. The government is contemplating on adopting Israel model of water management.”Reacting to the government’s promise of waiving farmers’ loan, Reddy said that the issue will be reflected in the coming budget. He said that government is contemplating to deposit Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 to farmers’ accounts to encourage agriculture activities, and this will be done on the lines of direct-benefit transfer for LPG.Primary education minister N Mahesh and MLA A H Vishwanath were present.

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