Implement Rs 500 bonus, Rythu Bharosa and crop loan waiver immediately: KTR warns government

KTR also warned that the government will have to bear the brunt of farmers' ire, if it fails to deliver on electoral promises

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Friday demanded that the State government immediately implement Rs 500 bonus per quintal of coarse variety paddy as promise by the Congress during the elections.

He also wanted the State government to implement complete crop loan waiver and release Rythu Bharosa funds including pending dues for the previous Vaanakalam season. He warned that the government will have to bear the brunt of farmers’ ire, if it fails to deliver on electoral promises.

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In an open letter to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Rama Rao reminded the Congress government of the pledge made in its election manifesto, where it clearly stated that farmers would receive an additional Rs 500 per quintal for paddy.

He found fault with the State government’s failure to fulfill the promise, creating confusion and financial hardship for farmers.

“Even after the end of the monsoon season, the government has not provided any clarity on the bonus, and this is causing widespread worry among the farmers,” he said. He also pointed out that the Congress government had failed to pay the previous season’s bonus, leaving farmers in a state of uncertainty.

The BRS working president criticized the Congress leadership for its lack of focus on the farmers’ issues.

“The Chief Minister talks only about providing bonus to only fine variety of paddy, ignoring the fact that over 80 per cent of the State’s farmers grow coarse variety of paddy,” he said, adding that failing to pay the promised bonus to all farmers is a betrayal of their trust.

Moreover, Rama Rao highlighted the government’s negligence in providing farmers with the Rythu Bharosa investment assistance. “The Congress pledged Rs 7,500 per acre, but the farmers are yet to see any support.

During last Yasangi (Rabi) season, only the Rythu Bandhu payments amounting to Rs 5,000 per acre were made, leaving the farmers to fend for themselves. for Vaanakalam season (Kharif), even that amount was not paid till date,” he stated, adding that investment assistance has not been provided in time for the planting or harvesting seasons.

The former Minister went on to castigate the Congress government for its massive borrowing and focus on the Musi River beautification project, questioning why Rs 1.5 lakh crore was being allocated to such projects, while essential financial aid to farmers is neglected.

“The government is more interested in grand projects to fulfill its pockets, that fulfilling its promises to the farmers of this State,” he said.

He demanded that the Congress government immediately deposit Rs 10,000 per acre into farmers’ accounts, including pending arrears from the last Vaaankalam season. “The farmers are on the verge of revolt if the government fails to act,” he warned.

Rama Rao also took aim at the government’s failure to deliver on its loan waiver scheme. Referring to the recent statement by Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Rama Rao said it was clear that the Congress had not fulfilled its promise to waive loans for 20 lakh farmers.

He called this a grave deception and warned that continued neglect of farmers’ issues would lead to widespread unrest. He demanded the Congress government to act swiftly and deliver its commitments to farmers, failing which the BRS would take up a fight to ensure that their rights are safeguarded.