'Drought Created by Congress': KTR Slams Revanth Reddy Govt
BRS leader KTR accuses the Revanth Reddy government of creating an artificial drought and demands ₹60,000 per acre for farmers.
BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) has launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led government in Telangana, claiming that the current agricultural distress in the state is not a result of natural calamities but is a "drought created by Congress." Speaking at the Rythu Garjana public meeting in Adilabad, KTR alleged that the government's mismanagement of irrigation and failure to implement welfare schemes have pushed farmers into a severe crisis.
Demanding ₹60,000 Per Acre for Farmers
KTR has demanded that the Revanth Reddy administration immediately release pending payments to the farming community. He called for a total disbursement of ₹60,000 per acre, which would include:
- Three pending instalments of Rythu Bandhu amounting to ₹45,000 per acre.
- Investment assistance of ₹15,000 per acre for the current Yasangi season.
The BRS leader pointed out that while the previous BRS government provided ₹10,000 per acre annually under the Rythu Bandhu scheme, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had promised to hike this to ₹15,000. KTR alleged that this commitment has been completely ignored since the Congress party assumed power.
Artificial Crisis vs. Natural Disaster
In a sharp critique of the government's excuses, KTR dismissed the use of "El Niño" as a reason for the water shortage. He argued that Telangana possesses adequate irrigation resources, but the government has failed to utilize them effectively.
To prove his point, KTR compared Telangana with neighboring states. He noted that while Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka faced nearly double the rainfall deficit compared to Telangana, they are not witnessing the same level of drought conditions, suggesting that the problem in Telangana is administrative rather than climatic.
Allegations of Water Mismanagement
KTR highlighted several technical failures in water management, alleging that:
- Nearly one lakh cusecs of water from the Kannepalli pump house are flowing downstream without being lifted.
- Approximately 750 TMC of water is being allowed to go unused.
- The government has ignored suggestions from retired irrigation engineers that could have prevented agricultural distress.
He further asserted that if the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy projects were utilized properly, not a single acre of land would have dried up. He also criticized the neglect of canal works under the Chanaka-Korata project.
Unfulfilled Electoral Promises
The BRS leader questioned the status of several key promises made by the Congress party during the elections, including:
- The ₹2 lakh crop loan waiver.
- Assistance for agricultural laborers and tenant farmers.
- The implementation of Rythu Bharosa and Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa for 36,000 beneficiaries.
KTR alleged that instead of providing support, the government is forcing farmers to submit self-declarations to access benefits and is even discouraging them from cultivating their own lands.
Attacking Both Congress and BJP
KTR did not stop at the state government, labeling the Congress and the BJP-led Union Government as "partners in neglect." He accused the state government of weakening the power sector and causing irregularities in coal for Singareni.
He raised concerns over the dismantling of the Cement Corporation of India (CCI) factory in Adilabad and alleged that Telangana-based industries are being shifted to Gujarat. Simultaneously, he criticized the Union Government for failing to grant national project status to major irrigation works and for not establishing the promised medical and nursing colleges in Adilabad.
Concluding his address, KTR questioned BJP leaders in Telangana, asking why they have failed to hold Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accountable for the state's deteriorating condition.