Publicity Over Relief: YSRCP Slams Naidu Govt Over Cyclone Compensation Delay
YSRCP leader Kurasala Kannababu accuses the AP government of prioritizing publicity over actual cyclone relief and compensation for farmers.
The political temperature in Andhra Pradesh has soared as the YSRCP launched a scathing attack on the Chandrababu Naidu-led government, alleging that the administration is more interested in "publicity stunts" than providing actual relief to those devastated by the recent cyclone. Former minister and YSRCP Regional Coordinator Kurasala Kannababu has questioned the delay in cyclone relief compensation, claiming that the government is prioritizing photo opportunities over the survival of farmers and affected families.
"Photos Over People": Allegations of Negligence
Speaking to the media at his camp office in Kakinada, Kannababu accused the state government of neglecting the ground reality. He argued that instead of ensuring effective relief reaches the victims, the government is focusing on reviews, videos, and photographs. The YSRCP leader raised a critical question: why were ministers not deployed to the affected areas despite the government receiving advance warnings about the cyclone's path?
The App Controversy
One of the primary points of contention is the government's directive requiring farmers to upload photographs of their crop damage via a mobile application. Kannababu slammed this move as impractical, questioning the technical literacy of the farming community. He asked why the Agriculture and Revenue Department officials were not performing their duties if the burden of documenting damage had been shifted onto the farmers themselves.
Demands for Fair Compensation
The YSRCP leader has demanded that the government set a clear and transparent deadline for the disbursement of compensation. He specifically highlighted the plight of paddy farmers, noting that crop damage has been estimated across approximately 8.30 lakh acres, with paddy alone accounting for 7.60 lakh acres.
Kannababu called for the government to adhere to the Scale of Assistance revised under G.O. No. 5 (dated November 14, 2023), which was implemented during the previous YSRCP administration. He questioned why the compensation for paddy farmers has not been increased to match these standards.
Comparing Governance: YSRCP vs. TDP
Drawing a contrast with the tenure of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy (2019-2024), Kannababu reminded the public of the measures previously in place:
- Crop Registration: Seamless registration through Rythu Bharosa Kendras.
- Insurance: Implementation of free crop insurance, with payouts ranging from Rs. 23,000 to Rs. 29,000 per acre in the region.
- Input Subsidies: Provision of subsidies before the start of the next cropping season.
He alleged that farmers are currently being deprived of these benefits and timely subsidies because the current government has failed to pay its share of the insurance premium.
Call for Inclusive Aid and Transparency
The YSRCP leader's demands extend beyond crop owners. He urged the government to provide compensation for:
- Tenant farmers who do not own the land they till.
- Fishermen who lost their nets and boats to the storm.
- Aquaculture farmers facing losses due to pond damage or power disruptions.
Furthermore, Kannababu called for the immediate establishment of medical camps in cyclone-hit zones and demanded that the government publicly disclose the lists of beneficiaries and the specific details of the relief distributed.
Electoral Postponement Request
In a significant political demand, the YSRCP leader called for the postponement of electoral processes in the affected areas of Kakinada. He argued that this delay is necessary until field verification is completed and all public objections regarding relief distribution are properly addressed.
"The government must stop the publicity stunts and ensure that every single affected family receives fair and timely compensation," Kannababu asserted.