Declare drought as National Calamity: Congress

Hyderabad, April 27 (INN): The Telangana Congress has demanded that the ongoing severe drought in the State be declared as 'National Calamity'.

Led by TPCC President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, a delegation of Congress leaders called on Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday. In their petition, the Congress leaders made 12 major demands and stressed on declaring Telangana's drought as National Calamity so as to secure financial assistance from the Central Government.

Besides Uttam Kumar Reddy, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir, former PCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah, TPCC Chief Spokesperson Dr. Sravan Dasoju, Treasurer Gudur Narayana Reddy, Vice-Presidents Narasimha Reddy and Nagaiah, ex-MP M. Anjan Kumar Reddy and other senior leaders were part of the delegation.

The Congress leaders urged the Governor to prevail upon the State Government to call for an emergency All-Party Meeting. The other major demands include supply of minimum 40 Litres of drinking water to every person, creation of a High-powered Special Task Force, persuading Centre for financial assistance and providing Special Drought Pensions to the affected households. They also demanded that the State Government waive off the farmers' loans totally without keeping any further dues pending and provide 150 days works under NREGS while clearing pending dues.

"There is a severe and unprecedented drought across Telangana which has badly affected not only the people, but also the cattle, flora and fauna. The loss of four consecutive crops has changed the status of Telangana of being the second wealthiest State in the country," they said in their petition.

However, the Congress leaders accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao of completely neglecting the drought situation. "TRS Government has failed to get required grants from the Centre only due to its false pride. KCR He did not even conduct a full-fledged review of drought situation although its magnitude was equivalent to that of a national calamity. He is still engaged in politics of poaching and dictatorially attempting to wipe off the opposition,' they said.

Speaking to media persons later, Uttam Kumar Reddy slammed KCR for giving prominence to politics than helping the drought-hit people. "KCR is making futile attempt to politically gain from the death of an MLA from Palair Assembly, Khammam district,' he said.

The TPCC chief condemned the TRS Government for not implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in a proper manner in drought hit areas which is directly leading to mass migration. Around 12 lakh NREGS labourers are waiting for the last two months for payment of their wages. There is an overdue of more than Rs. 500 crore towards wages. "These rulers have overturned the regulation of providing 100 working days by changing it to 150 days creating a buzz for themselves. However they couldn't provide work for at least 50 days making regular migrations the order of the day," he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that government should take immediate steps to avoid Telangana become another "Latur".

Meanwhile, the Congress party organized dharnas at various district headquarters across the Telangana State on Wednesday in protest against TRS Government's alleged failure to handle drought situation.