BRS leader Harish Rao targets Revanth Reddy over fertiliser crisis

The Telangana government faces criticism over an alleged halt in urea sales. BRS leader Harish Rao accused the administration of harming farmers and mismanaging fertiliser supply, warning that continued restrictions could deepen the agrarian crisis across the state.

Hyderabad: The Congress government in Telangana is facing severe political heat following an alleged ban on urea sales. BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao called the move unprecedented and hostile to farmers. He demanded immediate reversal of the alleged restrictions and ensured uninterrupted supply, failing which might worsen the agrarian crisis in the State.

Targeting Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Harish Rao said despite adequate stock at dealer points and cooperative societies, fertiliser and urea sales have been halted through oral instructions, leaving farmers scrambling. “If urea is available, why are dealers and societies not supplying it? Why have urea and fertiliser sales been halted without a written directive?” he asked, seeking the government to clarify the reasons for the alleged ban.

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He said farmers cultivating sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables were bearing the brunt of the disruption, with many forced to run from one centre to another in search of fertiliser. He criticised the government’s fertiliser management system, calling it ineffective and cumbersome for farmers. He said both the Congress and the BJP governments in the State and at the Centre respectively share same views on farm distress.

The senior BRS leader accused the government of aggravating the situation by allowing fertiliser prices to rise, while restricting access to urea. He dismissed the government’s claims on reducing urea usage as misplaced, and emphasised the immediate need for an assured supply. He also questioned the government’s failure in paddy procurement and ensuring remunerative prices to farmers.

He said the government had failed on multiple fronts, including release of Rythu Bandhu financial assistance, implementing crop loan waiver, crop insurance and bonus payments. “Instead of addressing the challenges faced by farmers who are in distress, the Congress government is organising Rythu Sadassulu celebrations, which is an insult to farmers,” he said, adding that the Congress government, which came to power with Farmers’ Declaration, failed to deliver them.