Haliyal: BJP leader Sunil Hegde has urged the state government to declare Haliyal and Joida as drought-hit as both the taluks have received scanty rainfall.

Addressing the media, he alleged Minister R V Deshpande’s performance in the last four years was not satisfactory. He demanded a white paper on his works so far. He also alleged that the management of local EID Parry Sugar Mill was hoodwinking the gullible farmers by shortmeasuring the sugarcane loads supplied to the mill and demanded that the mill management provide complete information on the local youth employed by them so far.

On the plight of the government hospital in Haliyal, he said it has no stock of vital vaccines like antirabies and anti-venom. As a result, a number of cases of snake and bear bites are not being treated here.

He demanded immediate supply of these life-saving drugs to the hospital and also to the primary health centres in the villages. BJP chief for the Haliyal assembly constituency Shivaji Narasani, leaders S A Shetavannavar, Raghavendra Chalawadi, Vasu Pujari and Ajoba K were present.