KTR expresses concern over cotton growers’ plight in Telangana

KTR pointed out that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has halted procurement, citing various excuses and leaving farmers at the mercy of middlemen.

Hyderabad: Voicing deep concern over the dire situation faced by cotton farmers in Telangana, BRS working president K T Rama Rao on Saturday came down heavily on the Congress government for its lack of support and broken promises to the farmers.

Rama Rao highlighted that cotton, the second-largest crop in the state after paddy, was being neglected. He pointed out that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has halted procurement, citing various excuses and leaving farmers at the mercy of middlemen. Despite the government’s promise of Rs 500 bonus per quintal, there has been no action to fulfill this commitment.

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He accused the Congress government of failing to take proactive measures in the crucial cotton procurement process. “The government has no initiative, no interest, and no intention to keep its word,” Rama Rao stated. He also mentioned that the government had previously cheated farmers by withholding bonuses for coarse rice and imposing conditions on fine rice.

Rama Rao’s comments come at a time when cotton farmers are struggling to sell their produce at fair prices. He called the Congress government a “betrayer of farmers” and labeled the farmer declaration as bogus.

He added that the political climate in Telangana was reminiscent of the days of the Telangana movement, with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi once again positioning itself as the champion of the people against the Congress. BRS leaders have accused the Congress of betraying farmers with false promises of loan waivers and support schemes, and of failing to deliver on their commitments to government employees.

The Congress party, which came to power with promises of creating 200,000 jobs within a year, left the hopes of the unemployed youth dashed. Despite protests and public outcry, the Congress government had shown little empathy.

In contrast, the BRS claims to have prioritized the welfare of all citizens during its tenure, ensuring a prosperous Telangana. However, under the Congress rule, the State was heading towards a crisis, with widespread dissatisfaction among the populace.

Within a year of Congress coming to power, Telangana was burning with discontent. The public was rebelling against the government’s policies, and the BRS was vocal in its opposition. The BRS vows to continue fighting for the people until the end, he said, promising to protect Telangana from opportunistic forces.