Padi Kaushik Reddy demands Rs.50,000 aid for cyclone-hit cotton farmers

Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy demanded that the State government pay Rs.25,000 per acre for paddy and Rs.50,000 per acre for cotton damaged in the Montha cyclone. He accused the Congress government of neglecting farmers and underreporting crop losses

Karimnagar: Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy has demanded that the State government provide adequate compensation to farmers whose crops were damaged in the recent Montha cyclone. He urged payment of Rs.25,000 per acre for paddy and Rs.50,000 per acre for cotton.

The MLA inspected damaged crops in Rampur and Jupaka villages of Huzurabad rural mandal on Saturday and consoled farmers who lost their standing crops.

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Speaking on the occasion, Kaushik Reddy said that instead of extending full support to the affected farmers, the government had washed its hands by announcing a meagre Rs.10,000 compensation. “It shows the commitment of the State government and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy towards the farming community,” he remarked.

He said crops spread over 30,000 acres in Huzurabad constituency alone were damaged, but officials had reported losses in just 825 acres. He demanded a comprehensive survey to identify all affected farmers and ensure fair compensation.

Accusing the Congress government of failing to deliver on its pre-poll promises, the MLA said pending dues had piled up to Rs.76,000 for each tenant farmer, besides the Rs.2 lakh loan waiver and Rs.50,000 bonus that were promised.

Kaushik Reddy warned that he would continue his protest until the government fulfils its commitments to farmers.