Chitradurga, July 29 -- The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, travelled to dry-land farming belts in Chitradurga to evaluate seasonal crop conditions on Wednesday, accusing local departments of operating entirely from offices instead of conducting physical ground surveys.

Talking to the reporters Ashoka stated that he observed administrative failures during his field inspection in Chitradurga.

"Farmers are in distress. I came to the field today itself... There is no rain. Agriculture, Horticulture officials, and the Tahsildar are present now, but no official has come to survey farmers' fields yet. They are just sitting in the office and filing reports. Because of this, many farmers will be left out. There has...