Govt fails to procure Onions at promised rates : Usha Sri Charan

Highlighting the severe distress faced by onion farmers in the region, YSRCP district president Usha Sri Charan criticized the state government for its failure to ensure minimum support prices (MSP). She visited Sanipalli village in Roddam Mandal, Penukonda constituency on Sunday, where she met farmers who had been forced to discard nearly 200 quintals of onions due to the absence of MSP.

Speaking on this, Usha Sri Charan expressed deep concern over the plight of farmers, accusing the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government of neglect and false assurances. “Despite promises to procure onions at ₹1,200 per quintal, the government has not fulfilled its commitments,” she said. She added that even the declared ₹50,000 per hectare compensation for onion cultivation is inadequate and fails to address farmers’ losses.

She further alleged that the government is misleading farmers with “fake proclamations” and pointed out that its policies have remained inconsistent, treating farmers differently before and after coming to power. Usha Sri Charan vowed that YSRCP would continue to fight for farmers until they receive fair support.

Farmers also voiced their anguish. Eediga Anitamma, who invested ₹2 lakh to cultivate onions over two acres, expressed her frustration, stating that without a proper support price, they are left with no option but to discard their crops. “The government says it will intervene, but nothing is being done,” she lamented.

Usha Sri Charan’s visit and statements underscore the ongoing financial distress among farmers in Anantapur, highlighting the urgent need for the government to ensure fair prices and meaningful support.