The Congress government in Karnataka has failed to take steps to mitigate the drought, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said in Guledagudda, Bagalkot district, on Sunday.

“There is a drought across the State. Farmers are facing severe hardship due to the lack of monsoon. But in such a situation, the government is spending huge amounts of public money in front of the Vidhana Soudha to hold a freedom festival. This is a matter of shame,” he said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the new building of the Kotekal Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, a farmers’ produce purchase and sales centre, a handloom products sales centre, and the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society building.

“The State government is misusing public money by claiming it has fulfilled its promises through the five guarantees. The condition of farmers in districts such as Koppal, Raichur and Kalaburagi in Kalyana Karnataka is extremely grave and worrying. There is a serious drinking water problem in rural areas. But the government has not come to the aid of farmers,” he said.

Mr. Kumaraswamy appreciated the efforts of Kotekal Primary Karnataka Panchayat Societies (PKPS), which built a godown at a cost of ₹6 crore for the storage of farmers’ grain. “They have done a great job by establishing a handloom manufacturing centre, creating employment opportunities for local weavers and providing jobs to 30 mothers,” he said.

PKPS president Hanumantha said the centre would serve as a model to facilitate farmers and weavers in the region. Kotekal Holehucheshwara Sri and Basavaraja Pattadariya Sri of Gurusiddheshwara Brahmanath blessed the gathering. Gurusiddha Pattadariya Sri was also present.