The Ratna Bharat Raitha Samaj will hold a protest in Dharwad on Thursday demanding that the State government release ₹3,000 crore to provide a permanent solution to problems caused by the Benne Halla during the rainy season.

Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Tuesday, national vice-president of the organisation Hemanagouda Basanagouda said that they will block the national highway near the bridge across the Benne Halla at Jigalur in Kundgol taluk of Dharwad district at 11 a.m.

He said that the State government has already released ₹200 crore for the Benne Halla redevelopment project. However, it covers mainly Navalgund Assembly Constituency, while most of the villages in Shiggaon and Kundgol taluks have been left out.

He urged the State government to come up with a comprehensive project covering all the affected villages and if this is not done before the Budget Session concluded, the farmers will be forced to lay a siege to the Vidhana Soudha.

Members of the Raitha Samaj Veerapakshappa Kallimani, Devappa Ichchangi and others were present.