Harish Rao calls “Rythu Panduga” celebrations shameful cover-up of Congress government’s failures

Are you celebrating for successfully misleading farmers? Not a single promise from the Warangal Rythu Declaration has been fulfilled," he said. Instead, he stated that 563 farmers had lost their lives in the past year due to the Congress government's inept policies.

Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS MLA T Harish Rao questioned the Congress government’s claims on farmer welfare during its one-year rule in Telangana and dubbed the three-day “Rythu Panduga” celebrations as a shameful cover-up of its failure to deliver electoral promises. He charged the Congress government of deceiving farmers and celebrating, while neglecting their welfare.

“Are you celebrating for successfully misleading farmers? Not a single promise from the Warangal Rythu Declaration has been fulfilled,” he said. Instead, he stated that 563 farmers had lost their lives in the past year due to the Congress government’s inept policies.

---

In a statement, Harish Rao criticised the Congress government for hijacking BRS-initiated schemes like Rythu Bandhu, failing to provide 24-hour electricity, and neglecting crop procurement. “Farmers have no support price, no bonus for cotton and paddy, and no assurance of income. Even promises to waive farm loans and also provide relief for tenant farmers and farm labourers remain unfulfilled,” he said.

The BRS leader challenged Congress’ claims of spending Rs 54,280 crore on farmer welfare, stating that of the said amount, Rs 27,486 crore was allocated under the previous BRS government on initiatives like Rythu Bhima, free electricity, and paddy procurement which was mandated as per budgetary allocations.

Harish Rao demanded the immediate release of Rs 40,800 crore owed to farmers, including amounts for crop loan waivers, Rythu Bharosa to farmers and tenant farmers for the last two seasons, and also crop loss compensation. “If your party truly cares for farmers, honour your promises instead of conducting celebrations to mask your failures,” he asserted.