TimesView Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy’s determination to fulfil his pre-poll promise to waive farm loans appears a millstone around this government’s neck. The farm loan bill is staggering and while economists say extreme austerity could help, albeit in a small way, there is always the danger of it doing more harm than good. Some of the harm is already showing since other schemes and ministries wait for budget allocations while the CM crunches the numbers. The irony is farmers themselves admit loan waivers are a short-term solution. The government must find a permanent solution to this issue.

Read also:

Nobody can touch me at least till Lok Sabha polls, says Kumaraswamy

BENGALURU: Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy has time and again urged his government and his ministers to observe austerity. Don’t buy new cars , fly economy and cut down on refurbishing and renovating government offices or residences, he has exhorted. He hopes these measures will help fulfilhis promise to waive farm loans — pegged at a staggering Rs 50,000 crore.As an example, Kumaraswamy himself has decided not to shift into a state-sponsored house that he is entitled to as chief minister — he prefers to work from his own home in JP Nagar much to the inconvenience of his neighbours. But it is another of his "austerity" measures that has grabbed attention — his preference to travel in his private SUV.The SUV happens to be a top-end, customised Range Rover , which costs about Rs 1.5 crore. As chief minister, Kumaraswamy is entitled to a vehicle of his choice — Siddaramaiah, his predecessor, used a Toyota Fortuner, which costs a fraction of Kumaraswamy’s personal SUV. His detractors have been quick to spout criticism: It’s all very well to preach austerity from the comfort of a customized Range Rover, they say."It is a bad precedent to set," said B H Veeresh, a social activist and trustee of RTI Study Centre. "While law permits the CM to use his own vehicle, how is it an austerity measure when one is ferried around in a vehicle that guzzles diesel? And there are safety and security factors which cannot be ignored." The SUV gives a maximum mileage of 12 km per litre.However, officials in the chief minister’s office say his decision to use his own vehicle is only a "small part" Kumaraswamy’s austerity measures. "Of course, he has been using the SUV for quite some time and he finds it comfortable especially given his health condition," one official said.The Range Rover (KA42P 0002), registered in the name of Kasturi Medias Pvt Ltd on April 3, 2013, is reportedly fitted with special shock absorbers and seats tweaked to enhance comfort. The chief minister has twice undergone heart surgery. His doctors have advised him to minimise body strain."It is a general observation that Kumaraswamy should keep strain on the body to a minimum during journeys," said Dr C N Manjunath, cardiologist and Kumaraswamy’s brother-in-law, who performed one of the operations.But there also appears to be sentimental factors at play in the CM deciding to use his Range Rover. His family, which is rigid in its religious beliefs, has advised the CM to use the vehicle as they believe it is lucky.This hasn’t spared the luxury SUV from being hauled up for traffic violations. It was once fined for halting in a ‘no parking’ area and in another instance, the vehicle took a prohibited U-turn. The fines for both violations were paid.Officials from the department of personnel and administrative reforms (DPAR) admit the chief minister has asked them not to purchase new vehicles. At present there are 36 vehicles, most are Toyota Innova Crystas, meant for ministers and two Fortuner vehicles for the chief minister."None of these vehicles have crossed 50,000 km and all are in good condition," said M P Vijay, deputy secretary to government, DPAR (protocol). "There is no proposal to buy new vehicles."