KTR accuses Revanth Reddy of denying irrigation water to farmers
BRS working president KT Rama Rao claimed the Congress government is avoiding its agricultural obligations by withholding water.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of intentionally withholding irrigation water from farmers on Sunday. Speaking at a Rythu Garjana meeting in Adilabad, Rama Rao, as reported by Telangana Today, alleged the move was intended to help the Congress government avoid its duties regarding seed and fertiliser supplies, crop procurement, and bonus payments.
Rama Rao blamed the state government for current drought conditions. He demanded an immediate payment of Rs 60,000 per acre to cover three pending Rythu Bandhu instalments and investment assistance for the current Yasangi season. He also called for four pending instalments for tenant farmers and Rs 36,000 each for landless agricultural labourers.
The BRS leader claimed the government is blaming El Nino and low rainfall for the agrarian crisis. He noted that while Telangana has a significant rainfall deficit, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are not experiencing similar drought levels. He stated that farmers are being forced to leave land fallow and provide self-declarations regarding their crops.
Regarding water management, Rama Rao said nearly 750 TMCft of Godavari River water flowed into the sea this year. He alleged that approximately one lakh cusecs flowed past the Kannepalli pump house without being lifted. He claimed that using the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Schemes could have prevented crop losses on 35 lakh acres.
The BRS working president also criticised the government for failing to fully implement a Rs 2 lakh loan waiver. He noted that the commitment has been revised from Rs 50,000 crore down to Rs 26,000 crore. He further alleged that non-payment of Rythu Bima premiums has impacted the insurance scheme.