KTR Demands Rs. 36,000 Relief for Drought-Affected Farm Labourers

BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) has accused the Telangana government of neglecting drought-hit farmers while concentrating on political interests. Addressing a farmers' rally in Nirmal, he criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for failing to respond to the agricultural crisis and demanded financial assistance of Rs. 36,000 over 36 months for every agricultural labourer who has lost employment due to drought, at Rs. 1,000 per month.

KTR demanded the immediate release of four pending instalments of Rythu Bandhu, rescheduling of agricultural loans and completion of the pending farm loan waiver. He alleged that farmers were struggling with inadequate irrigation facilities, power supply concerns, urea shortages and difficulties in paddy procurement. He also accused the Congress government of failing to fulfil its promise of bonuses for all crops.

Targeting the BJP-led Central Government, KTR alleged that Telangana was being denied adequate financial assistance despite drought conditions. He questioned why drought assessment teams were being sent to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra but not Telangana. Challenging state BJP leaders, he asked them to protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence over the alleged discrimination.

On irrigation, KTR accused the Congress government of neglecting the Palamuru-Rangareddy project, which he claimed was nearly 90 per cent complete, and pursuing political vendetta against Kaleshwaram. He alleged that nearly 1,000 TMC of water meant for Telangana had flowed downstream. Questioning the non-operation of Kaleshwaram pumps at Kannepalli, he also blamed government negligence for declining water levels in the Sriram Sagar reservoir.

Highlighting the previous BRS government's record, KTR said farmers received Rs. 73,000 crore through Rythu Bandhu, alongside benefits from Rythu Bima, 24-hour free electricity and irrigation initiatives. He also cited the rejuvenation of 46,000 tanks and distribution of podu land titles to tribal communities.

KTR further accused the Congress government of failing to clear fee reimbursement dues, provide Rs. 5 lakh education assurance cards, implement the PRC and release pending DA instalments. He alleged that rural development had slowed while the government was attempting to raise revenue through land sales in Hyderabad.