The Congress has challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to study and debate the Karnataka model of farm-loan waiver instead of , saying the State is giving just ‘lollipops’ to farmers.

Throwing the challenge, Dinesh Gundu Rao, President Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC,) said “The Prime Minister has not fulfilled any of his own promises such bringing back black money, job creation, inviting fresh investments or prviding relief to farmers. He has been moving around the country with empty promises.”

“When his record is shady and he has not done anything to farmers’ welfare. How can he criticise Karnataka model without bothering to study it. Today, he is just uttering lies against Karnataka,” he said and questioned: “Yes, we have at least given ‘lollipops’ to farmers. What have you given?”

“Prime Minister has been roaming around the country speaking lies, while his officers (Central team) are regularly visiting the State to study the Karnataka model, which heavily uses technology to identify the correct beneficiary,” said Rao.

“So far the State government has waived ₹8,200-crore loan of 25 lakh farmers when Siddaramaiah was the chief minister. Now, the coalition government has so far disbursed ₹349 crore and will be disbursing another ₹400 crore next week. A crop loan waiver of ₹40,000 crore, benefiting 40 lakh farmers will be made,” Rao said.

KPCC President admitted that there was delay due to scrutiny of applications and identifying correct beneficiary. Now with a correct template in place, disbursal has been going on smoothly.

Rao said, the JD(S)-Congress coalition government has also set aside ₹29,908 crore, which to be disbursed over a four-year period. A budgetary provision has also been made to disburse ₹6,500 crore during the financial year 2018-19, ₹8,656 crore in 2019-20, ₹7,621 crore in 2020-21 and ₹7,131 crore in 2021-22.

Acknowledging that there were differences between coalition partners, Rao advised JD(S) leaders such as HD Revanna not to discuss certain matters openly. “I humbly urge him (Revanna) not to give such statements so openly.”

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