TDP to intensify fight for farmer rights: Babu

Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday alleged that both the Centre and state government have totally failed in addressing the farmers’ problems.

Talking to media persons at NTR Trust Bhavan before leaving to participate in the three-day ‘Maha dharna’ to be staged in Kurnool district, the Leader of Opposition stated that the party would intensify its protest against the government until it addresses the farmers’ problems.

The farmers in the state are in fix as state government has failed to take up rescue and relief operations in the cyclone affected districts, he stated.

Though flood waters have receded in cyclone-affected districts, the agriculture officials have failed to estimate crop loss, Mr Naidu pointed out.

The government had also failed to seek financial assistance of Centre to take up relief operations in the districts, he alleged.

Reacting on Beedi workers staging dharnas in five Telangana districts, demanding to fix minimum wages for rolling of tobacco leaves, the former chief minister stated that the party would extend solidarity to their agitation and fight for their problems.

He demanded that the government fix minimum wages for Beedi workers as the traders are exploiting the situation.

Mr Naidu also added that the Self-Help Group women and villagers, who availed loans from microfinance companies, were undergoing tremendous pressure as the Government Ordinance not mentioned anything on fixing interest rate and regulating arm twisting measures.