Harish Rao Interacts With Farmers in Karimnagar, Flags Irrigation and Fertilizer Crisis

Senior BRS leader and former Telangana minister T. Harish Rao on Saturday alleged that farmers in the state are facing mounting difficulties under the Congress government, citing complaints related to irrigation, fertilizer supply, electricity and delays in financial assistance schemes.

Harish Rao visited Gopalraopalli village in Choppadandi Assembly constituency of Karimnagar district , where he interacted with farmers and listened to their grievances. During the visit, several cultivators told him that the lack of irrigation water and difficulties in accessing fertilizers were severely affecting agricultural activities.

Farmers said that tanks, ponds and irrigation canals have not been properly maintained or desilted, resulting in inadequate water supply to agricultural lands. Some cultivators claimed they were forced to spend borrowed money to clear silt from their wells to secure water for their crops. A farmer named Lachanna explained that the absence of reliable irrigation facilities was pushing many small farmers into debt.

Concerns were also raised over the availability of urea fertilizer , with farmers saying they have to stand in long queues to obtain it. They alleged that the app-based distribution system and OTP verification process introduced for fertilizer supply has created additional hurdles, particularly for farmers who are not familiar with digital systems. According to them, fertilizers were more easily accessible during the previous BRS government.

Farmers further claimed that financial support programmes meant for agriculture have not reached them on time. They said that assistance similar to the earlier Rythu Bandhu investment support scheme used to be credited regularly during previous administrations, but currently Rythu Bharosa payments are pending even during the harvesting season .

Loan waiver implementation was another major concern raised during the meeting. A farmer named Ramarao told Harish Rao that many farmers had taken loans through women’s self-help groups after the government announced a waiver of agricultural loans up to ₹2 lakh. However, several farmers are still waiting for the promised relief. Residents of Gopalraopalli submitted a petition stating that about 70 farmers in the village have not received loan waiver benefits .

Responding to the complaints, Harish Rao criticised the Congress government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy , accusing it of failing to fulfill assurances made to farmers before the elections. He alleged that the government had promised investment support for multiple crops but had not released several instalments of assistance.

He also questioned the government’s “99-day action plan,” describing it as ineffective in addressing farmers’ real issues. Harish Rao said he would raise the problems highlighted by Gopalraopalli farmers particularly loan waiver delays and pending agricultural assistance during the upcoming Assembly budget sessions.

The BRS leader further criticised the government for allegedly failing to implement its promise of ₹2,500 financial support to women and for irregular electricity supply affecting irrigation.

“Farmers need timely irrigation water, fertilizers and reliable support systems to sustain agriculture,” Harish Rao said, urging the government to prioritise resolving the challenges faced by cultivators across the state.