Hyderabad: Former Telangana Minister Harish Rao highlighted the grave challenges faced by farmers in the state due to severe water shortages, leading to crop failures and mounting debts.
Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad, Harish Rao, accompanied by party leaders, expressed deep concern over the plight of farmers who are struggling to sustain their livelihoods amidst dwindling irrigation resources.
“The farmers are in distress as their crops are drying up due to the acute shortage of irrigation water. This situation is unprecedented, and farmers themselves attest to never experiencing such dire circumstances in the past decade,” remarked Harish Rao.
He lamented the lack of timely irrigation water and erratic electricity supply, exacerbating the agricultural crisis across the state. With crops reportedly withering away in over 20 lakh acres of farmland, Harish Rao criticized the government’s apparent apathy towards the farmers’ plight.
“The Chief Minister seems oblivious to the hardships faced by the farmers, focusing solely on political gains from defections. Despite assurances, the promises made to farmers remain unfulfilled, with no sign of relief in sight,” Harish Rao asserted.
He further condemned the aggressive tactics employed by banks, likening their actions to those of oppressive regimes, stating, “Farmers are being harassed by banks, threatened with property confiscation if they fail to repay debts. This behavior is reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, not a government that claims to prioritize farmer welfare.”
Harish Rao also highlighted the unfulfilled promises made by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding loan waivers, accusing the government of failing to honor commitments made to alleviate farmer distress.
Harish Rao, BRS, KCR, KTR, Revanth Reddy, BJP, Telangana
