A powerful coalition of 40 organizations, known as the Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti, is calling for a complete shutdown (bandh) in Kalaburagi on October 13th. Their urgent demand is for the State government to immediately release an interim relief package of ₹1,000 crore, officially recognizing the district as flood-affected.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Mahantgowda Nandihalli, the District President of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Green Brigade—one of the key organizations backing the bandh—emphasized the critical need for swift action. He stated that relying solely on National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) grants would not provide timely assistance to farmers and families, as the recovery period could stretch for months.
Nandihalli passionately appealed to the State government to bypass bureaucratic delays and provide instant relief and compensation to those devastated by the floods, rather than waiting for Central government funds to materialize.
The Samiti’s specific demands include a compensation of ₹25,000 per acre for crop losses, a complete waiver of farm loans, and the provision of permanent housing solutions for families displaced from riverbanks.
In a pointed critique, Mr. Nandihalli also questioned the commitment of the Kannada film industry and its prominent actors to the North Karnataka flood crisis. He alleged that these figures tend to rally and offer aid only when floods strike the districts of South Karnataka, highlighting a perceived disparity in support.