TDP Coalition Pushing Aqua Sector Into Crisis: YSRCP
YSRCP slams the TDP-led coalition for allegedly favoring feed companies and weakening the APSADA Act, leaving aqua farmers in distress.
The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) launched a scathing attack on the TDP-led coalition government on Friday, accusing it of driving the aquaculture sector into a severe crisis. The party alleged that the current administration is working in tandem with aqua feed companies, prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of struggling farmers.
Allegations of Favoritism and Weakening of APSADA
Addressing the media in Tadepalligudem, YSRCP Party Coordinator Vaddi Raghuram claimed that the coalition government is actively attempting to weaken the Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) Act. He asserted that the government is misleading the courts and working to benefit feed company owners, leaving local aqua farmers in a state of distress.
Raghuram challenged the government's recent actions, specifically regarding a Government Order (GO) that allegedly seeks to dilute the authority of APSADA. He questioned the transparency of the coalition's claims, demanding clarity on a meeting involving three "handpicked" aqua farmers that the government claims to have included in a new committee. "Chandrababu should make it clear when this meeting was held, where it took place, and who these three farmers are," Raghuram stated.
Rising Costs and Subsidy Discrepancies
The YSRCP highlighted a massive surge in production costs that is crushing the livelihoods of farmers. Key grievances raised include:
- Feed Price Inflation: Allegations that aqua feed prices have surged by Rs 27 in just the last six months. Former MLA Mudunuri Prasada Raju noted that feed prices have jumped from approximately Rs 80,000 per tonne during the elections to Rs 1.20 lakh currently.
- Inadequate Subsidies: The party criticized the government for boasting about a mere Rs 1.50 subsidy while feed prices skyrocket.
- Electricity Issues: Questions were raised regarding why power subsidies were withdrawn from farmers during June and July, and why farmers are still being burdened with power factor and overload charges despite government claims of subsidized electricity.
Impact on Tenant Farmers
The party emphasized that tenant farmers are bearing the heaviest brunt of these policies, particularly as the "crop holiday" affects them most significantly. Raghuram reminded the public that under the leadership of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the previous administration provided a subsidy of Rs 3.60 crore to the aqua sector to safeguard its stability.
Warning of Statewide Agitation
The YSRCP has warned that it will not remain silent while the sector collapses. The party has vowed to launch a large-scale agitation to ensure aqua farmers receive the benefits envisioned under the APSADA framework. This follows similar warnings issued in September, where party leaders threatened legal action and statewide protests if the government failed to control feed prices, power charges, and the supply of quality seeds.