No compensation released though crops damaged six times in Siddipet: Harish Rao

Following fresh crop damage due to hailstorms in Siddipet, former minister Harish Rao demanded immediate compensation and accurate loss assessment. He alleged repeated delays in relief despite multiple crop losses, pushing farmers into distress.

Siddipet: As crops were damaged yet again due to hailstorms on Thursday, former Minister T Harish Rao demanded that the government carry out accurate enumeration of crop loss. He further demanded that the government release compensation without any delay to farmers. According to preliminary enumeration by the Agriculture department, crops were damaged over 400 acres in Siddipet Urban and Kondapak mandals due to hailstorms on Thursday.

In a statement on Friday, Harish Rao said that crops were damaged five times in Siddipet during the last one year due to hailstorms and once due to a cyclone. However, he said that the government failed to release compensation even after three ministers visited the district and examined the crop losses. He reminded how the government went back on its promises of releasing compensation.

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Due to denial of Rythu Bharosa, loan waiver and other benefits, Rao said that the farming fraternity was pushed into crisis by the Congress government. The denial of compensation, he said, was further adding to farmers’ woes. He lamented that the crops harvested and brought to procurement centres were also damaged due to untimely rains. Rao demanded that the government purchase paddy that was drenched in water at procurement centres to save farmers. Earlier, Siddipet BRS leaders led by Balakrishna Reddy examined the crop loss at Ensanpally, Krishna Sagar and Ponnala villages. After assessing the extent of crop loss while interacting with farmers, the BRS leaders assured that they would send a representation to the government.