MLA Padi Kaushik urges immediate relief for farmers affected by untimely rains

Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy has expressed deep concern over the severe difficulties faced by farmers due to untimely rains. He stated that the recent Montha cyclone has damaged rice and cotton crops across hundreds of acres in Huzurabad constituency and across the state, leaving farmers devastated.

Kaushik Reddy urged the government to immediately launch relief measures, warning that farmers are facing immense hardship. Criticizing the state leadership, he said that while Chief Minister Revanth Reddy travels around giving speeches, real assistance to farmers has been lacking. He added that ministers are busy with political ambitions while farmers are left to bear the loss of their crops. According to him, this is a clear example of administrative negligence by the Congress government.

The MLA demanded financial assistance of at least ₹25,000 per acre for affected farmers. He also called on the government to immediately procure wet grain from market yards and grains left on roads without imposing any conditions. He warned that refusing to buy the farmers’ produce would be unjust.

Kaushik Reddy further urged the district collector to personally assess the situation and coordinate with relevant departments to conduct surveys and ensure prompt aid. He emphasized that it is the government’s responsibility to provide relief and justice to farmers without burdening them with unnecessary rules. He cautioned that failure to provide timely support could lead to farmers’ anger against the government.

Past relief measures during untimely rains

During the previous BRS government, untimely rains, hailstorms, and cyclones had caused extensive crop damage across the state. In each instance, the government had provided immediate financial assistance to partially compensate for losses.

For example, in 2021, heavy rains and hail damaged paddy, cotton, and maize crops. The BRS government recognized the farmers’ plight and announced compensation of ₹10,000 per acre, benefiting around 3.5 lakh farmers that year. In 2022, similar heavy rainfall caused further crop losses, and farmers received compensation ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per acre, reaching nearly 2.8 lakh farmers. Over these two years, the government released over ₹2,000 crore in relief.

In Huzurabad constituency alone, approximately 12,000 to 15,000 farmers received compensation during that period. Agricultural experts note that timely interventions through programs like Rythu Bandhu and crop insurance schemes helped mitigate losses and provided some relief to farmers.