KTR demands pending Rythu Bandhu instalments and drought relief for farmers

BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) has accused the Congress government in Telangana and the BJP-led Central government of neglecting farmers and failing to provide relief amidst the drought situation in the state. According to a report by The Hindu, he shared these details while addressing a public meeting titled 'Rythu Garjana' held in Nirmal on Wednesday evening.

KTR alleged that the Congress government has turned the drought situation into a man-made crisis by prioritising politics over farmers' issues and failing to utilise available water resources. Attacking government policies, he said the government is deliberately ignoring major irrigation projects. He stated that although the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project is nearly 90% complete, it has been stalled, while the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is also being neglected.

He questioned why Telangana's rightful share of nearly 1,000 TMC of Godavari and Krishna water is being allowed to flow downstream to supply water to Pattiseema and Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh. KTR asked why Palamuru and Nirmal are facing drought while projects in Andhra Pradesh are receiving water. Targeting Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, he said that he is more concerned about political criticisms than resolving the difficulties of farmers.

KTR also accused the BJP, stating that its eight MPs and eight MLAs have failed to protect the interests of farmers. Questioning the response of the Central government, he asked why Telangana's drought situation is being ignored while assessment teams are being sent to neighbouring states Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra instead. He challenged BJP leaders to hold a dharna outside the Prime Minister's residence in Delhi demanding drought relief and adequate financial assistance for the state.

He demanded that the state government immediately announce the remaining four instalments of Rythu Bandhu. Additionally, he demanded financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month for 36 months, amounting to a total of ₹36,000, for every agricultural labourer who has lost their livelihood due to the drought. He also demanded a rescheduling of agricultural loans and the completion of the pending farm loan waiver. He reminded that during the BRS government, programmes such as Mission Kakatiya, 24-hour power supply, 11 instalments of Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, and decentralised paddy procurement were implemented.

K.T. Rama Rao is a leader of the BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi).