Bylakuppe: Many farmers in Mutthina Mullusoge village in Periyapatna taluk are angry with Chief Minister Siddharamaiah. Reason: It is because of CM’s visit that their standing crops were destroyed.

Several acres of land where crops were grown have been destroyed by officials to make a road for the CM who is arriving at the village on May 31 to launch a series of development works. Fields have been levelled for the CM’s convoy to pass and the ground is being prepared to set up a huge stage for the gala event.

Farmers have alleged that though their crops have been destroyed, officials are non-committal about the compensation. Most of the farmers at Mutthina Mullusoge village are from backward communities and depend on agriculture for livelihood.

The CM is coming to Mutthina Mullusoge on May 31 to perform guddali puja for a project to fill 133 lakes and 17 ponds with Cauvery water. Farmers Nagaraju, Swaminayaka, Narayana, Mallesh Nayaka and Lakshmi have alleged that their farms on the banks of river Cauvery were destroyed by JCBs.

“We had taken loans from the banks and cooperative societies and had grown sesame, snake beans, tur dal, green gram and urad dal. Now we have nothing and when asked for compensation, officials have turned their face away,” farmers said.

“When the officials came to our fields a week back, they had assured us compensation within two days. Harangi Rehabilitation Assistant Executive Engineer R.K. Rajegowda had assured us of suitable compensation and we agreed. Now that our crops are destroyed, he is dodging us,” a farmer said. Responding to the allegation by farmers, Rajegowda told Star of Mysore that payment of compensation has been delayed due to some “technical reasons”. “We will assess the extent of crop loss and we will have to coordinate with the agriculture department. Compensation will be paid soon,” he said.