BRS demands announcement of drought mandals, immediate relief measures

HYDERABAD

The drought conditions in the State were not due to nature’s impact but due to the failures of the Congress Government and the Chief Minister was in a deep slumber even when standing crops in 12 lakh acres were withering, former minister and Deputy Floor Leader of the BRS Legislature Party T. Harish Rao alleged.

Speaking after examining the withered crops, mostly paddy, at Burugupalli of Gajwel mandal in Siddipet district on Thursday, he said the previous BRS Government had provided a helping hand to the farming community during the Covid-19 pandemic and achieve one-crore tonnes of paddy production, the Revanth Reddy Government had announced crop holiday in the name of El Nino impact.

Despite the forecast and warnings given by Met scientists on the El Nino impact 10 months in advance, the State Government had failed to maintain sufficient coal stocks at the thermal power stations and also failed to procure energy in advance. Now, the Chief Minister was washing his hands by stating that there was no energy in the market for procurement, though the government was ready to purchase it at any cost.

Mr. Harish Rao faulted the government for its failure to switch on/run the motors 24x7 at Kannepally, Devadula and Kalwakurthy lifts to ensure sufficient water for irrigation and drinking needs.

He mentioned that neighbouring Maharashtra Government had released ₹5,000 per acre immediate relief to farmers and Andhra Pradesh had declared drought mandals. But, the Telangana Government had not even declared drought mandals.

Criticising the government for burdening people with ₹5,420 crore of energy charges in the form of true-up charges, the BRS leader demanded that the government announce drought mandals immediately and extend ₹12,000 per farm worker, as promised in the Congress election manifesto.