‘Do you pay taxes?’: MP Suresh taunts farmer who sought drought relief

RAMANAGARA: Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha member D K Suresh hit out at a farmer who sought drought relief, at a public meeting in Magadi taluk on Saturday. The MP wanted to know how much taxes the farmer paid to make such demands.

During the meeting, the unnamed farmer pointed out that the entire Magadi taluk has not been declaredd drought-affected. To hire a tractor for ploughing, it would require a minimum of Rs 1,000 per hour, therefore drought relief of Rs 10,000 should be discussed in the Assembly, he suggested. He also said that the relief being given now is only Rs 500 per acre and farmers are not being given adequate relief while government employees are being given TA and DA.

To this, MP Suresh said, “The government is giving 5 kg rice and money in lieu of an additional 5 kg rice. It is also purchasing power for farmers’ irrigation pumpsets. Every day, we have to listen to taunts from the JD(S) and BJP and now your are making demands”.

Further, he questioned the farmer, “How much taxes are you paying? You don’t pay taxes. Modi is questioning why freebies are being given to those who don’t pay taxes. Modi won’t listen to anyone and you have to only listen to him. If you still say Modi is right, what do I do? You should understand the situation while making demands. Everyone has desires and no one is content however much you give them. Even government employees, panchayat members, legislators are not happy”, he said.