Kannada and Culture Minister and Koppal in-charge Shivaraj Tangadagi inspecting crop damage in Koppal district of Karnataka on April 13, 2025.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Recent hailstorms have caused significant damage to agriculture in Koppal district in Karnataka, affecting 12,722.46 hectares of paddy crops. “Of this, 4,895.33 hectares of crop damage occurred in Karatagi taluk alone,” said Shivraj Tangadagi, Minister of Kannada and Culture and Welfare of Backward Classes, who is also in charge of Koppal district.
The Minister visited the affected areas of Kanakagiri and Karatagi taluks on April 13 to assess the damage. He told mediapersons that hailstorm, accompanied by rain and strong winds, wreaked havoc, particularly in Karatagi taluk, where 12 villages suffered the most severe losses.
“The hailstorm has destroyed a significant portion of paddy crops in Karatagi taluk. In addition to the hail, rain and wind have caused extensive crop losses across Koppal district, totalling 12,722.46 hectares, with Karatagi taluk alone reporting 4,895.33 hectares of damage,” he stated.
The Minister said that a compensation of ₹17,000 per acre would be provided to the affected farmers as per the norms of the Union Government. He, along with fellow ministers N.S. Bosaraju and Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, had already brought the issue to the attention of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda during a cabinet meeting.
“I have personally spoken to tahsildars and instructed them, along with village accountants and agriculture department officials, to visit the affected areas and conduct assessments. I have also discussed the compensation issue with the Chief Minister, who has asked for the crop damage survey report to be submitted. A special cabinet meeting has been scheduled for April 17, after which we three ministers and the local MLAs will meet the Chief Minister to discuss the matter further. If possible, we may meet him a day before the cabinet meeting,” he said.
On the issue of the Tungabhadra dam gates, he clarified that the dam’s management is handled by a separate board, which functions under the Union Government, not under the government of Karnataka.
“We are ready to contribute Karnataka’s share of funds whenever required,” he added.
Alleged irregularities in KRDCL
In response to a query, Minister Tangadagi confirmed that an investigation has been ordered into alleged irregularities in Koppal by the Karnataka Rural Development and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (KRDCL). “I have spoken to the managing director, and a case has already been registered. Action will be taken against anyone found guilty. We have also gathered information regarding GST dues amounting to ₹17 crores and ₹25 crore,” he stated.
Published – April 14, 2025 10:25 am IST