Harish Rao objects to Congress govt’s decision to cancel Assembly’s Question Hour

Harish Rao pointed out that the BRS raised questions on three key issues - the mortgaging of public assets for loans, the drying up of Yasangi crops, and the failure to fulfill promises made to farmers, which were all dodged

Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS MLA T Harish Rao questioned the Congress government’s decision to cancel the Assembly’s Question Hour, stating that it was an attempt to avoid answering critical questions on farmer distress and financial mismanagement. He expressed his objections to the Speaker and the Secretary, asking why the Question Hour was abruptly called off.

“Question Hour is mandatory. But the Congress government is running away from its responsibility to answer our questions and attempting to suppress our voice by evading answers on pressing issues,” he said.

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In an informal interaction with the media in the Assembly lobbies on Tuesday, Harish Rao pointed out that the BRS raised questions on three key issues – the mortgaging of public assets for loans, the drying up of Yasangi crops, and the failure to fulfill promises made to farmers, which were all dodged.

He stated that the government was borrowing Rs 50,000 crore by pledging HMDA lands, GHMC, HMWS, and TGIIC assets. “HMDA lands, GHMC, HMWS, and TGIIC assets are being pledged to borrow Rs 50,000 crore. Why is this government mortgaging Telangana’s future?” he asked.

Raising concerns over irrigation, the former Irrigation Minister stated that crops were withering out across Warangal, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, and Siddipet, despite water being available in projects like Devadula and Mallanna Sagar projects.

On the issue of farmer welfare, he said around half of farmers had not received crop loan waivers, even though the government had repeatedly stated otherwise. He pointed out that paddy procurement had dropped significantly, from 70 lakh metric tonnes during the BRS tenure to just 52 lakh metric tonnes under Congress.

“Farmers are waiting for loan waivers and procurement support, but the Congress government is all talk, no action,” he remarked.

The BRS legislator also highlighted discrepancies in Rythu Bharosa payments, revealing that in Siddipet alone, 20,514 farmers had yet to receive loan waivers and Rs 37 crore was still pending.

He said that farmers were suffering due to the delayed establishment of procurement centers, forcing them to sell their crops at lower prices. The situation in Nizamabad was even worse. “Despite assurances, many farmers had not received the promised benefits, leading to widespread distress in rural areas,” he added.

Harish Rao stated that these issues needed urgent attention and that the government must fulfill its commitments without further delay. He warned that if these problems were not addressed, the growing dissatisfaction among farmers would have serious consequences for the State’s administration.