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Congress created drought-like condition, alleges Vaddiraju
In Short
In an interview with The Hans India, the MP accuses Congress of failing in power and irrigation water supply; seeks white paper on electricity supply and crop losses
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BRS MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra
Khammam: Rajya Sabha member and BRS parliamentary party leader Vaddiraju Ravichandra has accused the Congress government of failing to address farmers’ concerns over electricity supply and irrigation water. In an interview with The Hans India, he demanded a white paper on power generation, crop losses, water management, and Singareni Collieries’ coal production alleging that farmers were facing mounting difficulties.
Excerpts from the interview.
Q: Why do you describe the situation as a Congress-created crisis?
A: Farmers are struggling to protect their crops because of concerns over electricity supply and irrigation water. The situation cannot be explained by rainfall alone. The government must provide a clear account of the measures taken to support farmers.
Q: You have cited a gap between electricity demand and generation. What clarification do you seek?
A: Telangana’s peak power demand is being cited at around 15,000 MW, while generation is reported at approximately 6,700 MW. The government should clarify the figures, the contribution of generation sources and the power purchased from outside. It must also explain how agricultural consumers are being supplied during periods of high demand.
Q: What is your concern over second-crop cultivation?
A: The government should provide practical alternatives rather than leave cultivators uncertain about their next season. Farmers invest heavily in seeds, labour, and other inputs. Any advice to reconsider a second crop must be based on transparent information about water availability and consultation with farmers and agricultural experts.
Q: You have alleged that Godavari water management has affected farmers…
A: I raised concerns about the release of Godavari water to Andhra Pradesh while farmers in Telangana are facing shortages. The government should publish reservoir storage levels, inflows, outflows and releases to other states, along with details of water supplied for agriculture. These records are necessary to assess whether available resources are being managed effectively.
Q: What immediate measures should the government take?
A: The government should ensure reliable electricity for agricultural operations, assess crop losses transparently, and provide compensation to eligible farmers. Damaged motors and transformers should be repaired or replaced promptly under applicable schemes. It should also publish a white paper covering power generation, purchases, and irrigation water availability.
