Uttam asks KCR to help farmers save crop

Hyderabad, Nov 27 (INN): Stating that the demonitisation of higher currency notes has aggravated agrarian crisis, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has demanded the State Government to take immediate steps to ensure that farmers does not lose ongoing Rabi season.

Addressing a massive public meeting "Rythu Garjana" in Achampet of Mahabubnagar district on Sunday, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the farmers of Telangana were already in crisis due to non-clearance of their crop loan waiver dues by the State Government. They lost four consecutive crops dues to drought situation and apathy of TRS Government. In view of good rainfall, farmers were expecting a good Rabi season. However, their hopes were lost when BJP Government at the Centre announced demonitisation without realising that the process would overlap Kharif harvest and Rabi sowing season hitting lakhs of farmers. He asked the State Government to extend immediate assistance to farmers to ensure that they do not fall short of funds to carryout sowing operations.

Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that the Telangana State Level Bankers Committee, in its recent meeting, has admitted that a very small percentage of proposed Rs. 11,300 crore was disbursed to farmers towards Rabi loans. Further, with the State Government not clearing the dues under promised Rs. 1 lakh crop loan waiver scheme has completely denied farmers an opportunity to avail fresh loans. Further, the limitations on withdrawal of cash and non-availability or acute shortage of cash in rural banks have aggravated the agrarian crisis in the State. He demanded that the State Government take up immediate steps and extend required assistance to farmers on war footing basis.

The TPCC chief also expressed deep pain over the deaths due to Centre's ill-planned move of demonitisation. Citing an instance, he said a farmer of Dharmaram village of Siddipet district, V. Balaiah, has committed suicide and also fed three other family members food laced with pesticide due to circumstances created due to demonitisation move. He appealed to the farmers not to take any extreme step and assured that the Congress party would fight for their rights.

Uttam Kumar Reddy has strongly condemned the TRS Government for not clearing the fee reimbursement dues of nearly 14 lakh students. He accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao of giving top priority to his personal comfort, luxury and beliefs while turning a blind's eye to the problems being faced by farmers, students, patients and other sections of the society.

The TPCC chief said that the Congress party was observing "Aakrosh Diwas" on Monday to highlight the sufferings of common man due to demonitisation move. He directed the party cadre to organise protest rallies across the Telangana State in protest against the hardship caused to the common public.

TPCC Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, MP Nandi Yellaiah, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir, MLAs D.K. Aruna, A. Sampath Kumar and Vamshichand Reddy, ex-Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy, MLCs Magam Ranga Reddy and Damodhar Reddy, Mahabubnagar DCC president Obaidullah Kotwal and other senior leaders also addressed the meeting.