Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao of completely neglecting the agriculture sector in the State.
Addressing a massive public meeting "Rythu Rana Bheri" at Devarkonda on Thursday, Uttam Kumar Reddy slammed the TRS Government for not fulfilling the promise of waiving off crop loans up to Rs. 1 lakh. He said KCR wants the farmers to remain hooked to their debts till next elections. "About 37 lakh farmers are tied up to their old debts due to non-fulfillment of promise by TRS Government. Nearly 3.5 lakh women, who had pledged their jewellery, did not get any relief. KCR is deliberately causing delay in clearing the crop loan waiver dues while diverting funds for other purposes," he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also alleged that Rs. 920 crore, received from the Central Government towards drought relief, have been diverted to other schemes by TRS Government. He said that the farmers did not get any financial assistance either from the State or Central Governments.
The TPCC chief demanded that the State Government clear crop loan waiver dues in a single take on immediate basis. Further, loans should be arranged for farmers through banks so as to prevent them from falling into the trap of private money lenders. He also asked the State Government to implement GO 421 and pay Rs. 6 lakh ex-gratia and other benefits to the families of farmers who committed suicide.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also accused the TRS Government of resorting to forced land acquisition for different projects. Further, the government is not willing to pay proper compensation. He asked as to why the State Government was hesitant to pay compensation as per Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and instead coming up with different GOs to deny Rehabilitation and Resettlement to affected farmers and agricultural workers.
Stating the farmers of Telangana have already lost four crops in a row due to the negligence of TRS Government, the TPCC chief demanded that all affected farmers be extended required help in ongoing Kharif season.
The public meeting was also addressed by CLP leader K. Jana Reddy and other senior Congress leaders.