At a public event in Belagavi, Karnataka Minister Shivanand Patil sparked outrage with his statement, "farmers wish for a drought year."

According to the minister, farmers often hope for a drought in order to get their loans forgiven. Patil continued by saying that farmers shouldn't demand constant assistance from the government because they were receiving everything for free, including seeds, fertilizer, electricity, and water.

Both electricity and water from the Krishna River are free. Chief Ministers have donated fertilizer and seeds for free. Farmers only want droughts to keep happening so that their loans can be forgiven. Every three to four years, there will be a drought, whether you like it or not. 

For the medium-term financing, Siddaramaiah has waived interest. Other chief ministers have excluded loans as well. However, assistance from the government is only available when we are in need; it is not always possible, according to Minister of Sugar Shivanand Patil.

With 223 of 236 taluks classified as drought-hit, Karnataka is experiencing one of the worst droughts in recorded history.

The minister has already caused controversy with remarks he made about the agrarian issue. He stated that farmer suicides surged earlier in the year following the government's announcement of an increase in ex gratia awarded in such circumstances.

Claiming that the minister's remark symbolizes the state government's attitude toward the farmers, the BJP attempted to corner the Siddaramaiah government on the matter.
 

It is regrettable that a minister would say such a thing about the farmers who perform pooja to nature. He can't stay on as Minister. This is an unacceptable claim. BJP leader CN Ashwathnarayan stated, "If Congress had any respect for the farmers, they should have fired him right away.

Conversely, the Congress attempted to support the minister by asserting that he also comes from a farming family.