Blaming the ruling Congress government for failing farmers on every front, BRS working president KT Rama Rao questioned the rationale behind organising Rythu Panduga celebrations in Telangana. He held the Congress responsible for pushing farmers into a crisis after a decade of progress under former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao.
“Agriculture was a disaster for decades under the Congress regime. During Chandrashekhar Rao’s ten-year term, it became a celebration. Now, in just 18 months of Congress rule, it is back to being a disaster,” he said while urging the people to call out the failures of the Revanth Reddy government in the State.
Taking strong exception to the government’s failed promises, Rama Rao said, though the Congress promised to enhance the Rythu Bharosa amount from Rs.10,000 per acre to Rs. 15,000 per acre, it had only provided Rs
12,000 per acre. The government skipped release of funds allocated to Rythu Bharosa in the last 18 months, but was releasing funds ahead of local body elections to manipulate public sentiment.
“Is this something to celebrate?” he asked.
The BRS working president recalled how Chandrashekhar Rao ensured free power, irrigation facilities, timely crop procurement and Rs. 5 lakh Rythu Bima life insurance to farmers and pointed out that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BRS government had stood strong with farmers and released Rythu Bandhu funds for 11 installments without a break.
“Through his initiatives, Chandrashekhar Rao not only gave confidence to farmers, but also stood as a role model for the nation. In contrast, the Congress has failed to implement crop loan waivers, neglected bonus for paddy, and did not procure paddy,” he said.