MP Poojary Leads Meeting to Resolve Soil Transport Issues for Udupi Farmers
Udupi-Chikkamagalur MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary has taken a proactive stance to address growing concerns among farmers in the district regarding the transportation of soil from their private lands for agricultural purposes. Presiding over a crucial meeting at the deputy commissioner's office on Monday, Poojary emphasized the urgent need to resolve these issues to prevent farmers from encountering unnecessary hurdles in their daily farming activities.
Historical Context and Current Challenges
For many years, farmers in Udupi district have routinely transported soil from their own lands to other fields to support agricultural activities, a practice that has been essential for maintaining soil fertility and crop productivity. However, recent complaints have surfaced, alleging difficulties and obstacles in this process. MP Poojary highlighted that these farmers are not using the soil for any other purposes beyond agriculture, and therefore, necessary legal steps must be implemented to ensure they do not face any impediments.
Insights from Local MLAs
During the meeting, Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar provided a nuanced perspective, suggesting that some of the complaints against farmers transporting soil might be driven by personal gain rather than genuine concerns. He argued that such allegations need not be taken seriously and should be evaluated carefully to avoid unjustly penalizing hardworking agriculturists.
Kundapur MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi pointed to recent incidents as a potential catalyst for the surge in complaints. He noted that two accidents involving soil transport trucks in the Kota area had occurred, leading to increased scrutiny. There were no such complaints in the past year before these accidents, Kodgi stated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that farmers are not unduly burdened by regulatory measures stemming from isolated events.
Official Response and Collaborative Efforts
The meeting saw the participation of key officials, including Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa TK, MLAs Yashpal Suvarna, Gurme Suresh Shetty, and Gururaj Shetty Gantihole, along with Additional DC Abid Gadyal, Additional SP Sudhakar Nayak, and Senior Geologist Vindhya NM. This collective effort underscores the district administration's commitment to addressing the issue comprehensively.
MP Poojary reiterated that the primary goal is to streamline the soil transport process for agricultural activities, ensuring that farmers can continue their work without disruption. He called for a balanced approach that respects legal frameworks while safeguarding the interests of the farming community, which is vital for the region's agricultural economy.
