Jana Sena seeks support for drought-hit farmers

Wanaparthy: Mukunda Naidu, Wanaparthy Jana Sena Party coordinator, on Sunday demanded the government to provide comprehensive support to drought-hit farmers. “Instead of offering loan waivers merely during election periods, it should provide relief by waiving farm loans. Farmers should be granted an extension on re-payment of bank loans to alleviate their financial burden. Crop loans must be sanctioned for the upcoming year, regardless of the status of previous loan re-payments,” he said.

At a press conference here, Naidu and other leaders wanted data on crop losses, specifically crops that withered due to lack of irrigation, must be collected immediately, and full compensation provided to the affected farmers. He said as the government’s negligence has exacerbated the losses, a concrete plan must be unveiled to protect the public from the impact of drought.

Referring to the current situation and losses caused by the ‘El Niño’ drought, the leaders expressed disappointment that while the CM warned against sowing crops, citing a severe drought, neither he nor his officials gave any thought to how irrigation water could be managed, conserved, and supplied to crops when most needed.

They noted that farmers are suffering in various ways; crops have withered because water was not provided at critical stage, even while it was being diverted elsewhere. They emphasised that this dire state of affairs is a direct consequence of the government’s negligence. They leaders demanded that the public representatives, MLAs and MPs, immediately visit their constituencies to offer support to farmers. A comprehensive assessment must be made to determine the crop losses at every level and full compensation provided to farmers.

Party leaders Prakash, Ramesh, Shyam, Maddileti, Murali, Ashok and Kurumurti were present at the press meet.

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