He also said BRS leaders would hold the Congress government in the state accountable for their lapses that were causing grief to farmers.
BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao with farmers in Telangana on Sunday, 31 March, 2024. (Supplied)
BRS chief and former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao inspected the dried crops of farmers on a tour of villages in Janagaon, Yadadri, and Suryapet on Sunday, 31 March, and expressed deep concern over their plight.
KCR subsequently told reporters, “Farmers, with tears in their eyes, pleaded with me, explaining how they invested in their crops only to suffer losses. They urged us to question the government and intervene on their behalf.”
He added, “Every farmer should receive ₹25,000 per acre [of lost crop]. This is my firm demand.”
He also said: “We will hold ministers and MLAs accountable and protest if necessary to ensure that farmers receive the loan waiver they deserve.”
KCR also alleged: “Ministers and MLAs are not conducting meetings. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy only tours Delhi.”
“All BRS leaders should submit representations to district collectors on 2 April to sanction bonuses for farmers,” said KCR.
“I request farmers not to end their lives. We will stand up for you all. BRS and KCR will fight for you,” he added.
KCR has also announced assistance of ₹5 lakh for the marriage to be held at farmer Angothu Sathemma’s house in Dharawat Thanda in the Devaruppula Mandal of Jangaon.
సూర్యాపేట జిల్లా తుంగతుర్తి మండలం వెలుగుపల్లి గ్రామంలో SRSP ఆయకట్టు కింద ఎండిపోయిన పంట పొలాలను పరిశీలించి, రైతులను వివరాలు అడిగి తెలుసుకున్న బీఆర్ఎస్ అధినేత కేసీఆర్. pic.twitter.com/rW4pZz7pR4
— BRS Party (@BRSparty) March 31, 2024
KCR also said, “The farmers told me they received water support earlier, which encouraged them to resume crop production with hope in the current government.”
He added: “For nearly eight out of the last 10 years, our slogan was ‘If the farmer thrives, the state thrives.’ We provided water, Rythu Bandhu financial support, and an uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply. Our government purchased crops by establishing 7,600 centres, without leaving a single seed behind.”
Rao also claimed that before 2014, crop yields in what would become Telangana never exceeded 30-40 tonnes.
He added that the state was now producing 3 crore tonnes worth of crops, “competing with Punjab”.
He also lamented, “Within 100 days, the situation has become dire for farmers, with their death toll reaching 200. I urge journalists to shed light on the challenges faced by farmers in the state.”
The current Congress government came to power in Telangana in early December. It completed 100 days in office last month.
On the hurdles faced by farmers, KCR said, “I see resolving the drinking water issue as a challenge. Why should women need to stand in line with steel pots for water, and why are water tankers doing business in Hyderabad?”
He emphasised the need for continuity in government efforts, highlighting, “We have taken significant steps, and the current government should continue this work. People are resorting to buying stabilisers and inverters.”
Reflecting on infrastructure development, KCR said, “During our tenure, we assured IT companies that power cuts would not occur in Telangana. I engaged with the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited to ensure coordination in the state.”
He elaborated on power capacity expansion, noting, “We increased installed capacity from 7,600 megawatts to 18,000 megawatts, adding an extra 5,600 megawatts. Recently, PM Modi dedicated 1,600 megawatts [to Telangana] as a result of our efforts. Despite this, power issues persist.”
He then remarked, “There is still negligence despite our efforts. Whose failure is it? They seem unaware.”
KCR added, “Engineers on the ground confirm that Finance Commission Member Secretary Smita Sabharwal, through Mission Bhagiratha, facilitated daily coordination meetings and supported the farmers.”
(Edited by Arkadev Ghoshal)
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