Agri implements: BJP compains against ally TDP

Kakinada: The BJP leaders in the district have been alleging that the TDP MLAs and Janmabhoomi Committees of Kakinada Rural, Pithapuram, Anaparthy and Ramachandrapuram were interfering in the distribution of farm machinery and implements among beneficiaries.

East Godavari BJP president Yenimireddy Malakondaiah said that in all these four constituencies, TDP MLAs Pilli Anantalakshmi, SVSN Varma, N Ramakrishna Reddy and Thota Trimurthulu have been directing agriculture department officials to distribute farm machineries like paddy cutting machines and power tillers among the beneficiaries recommended by them.

He said the Centre is according top priority for increasing farm productivity as the supply of machines at subsidised cost to farmers would help them overcome the problems caused by shortage of farm hands. But due to the interference of TDP MLAs in the distribution of farm implements, the real beneficiaries are feeling left out.

He said the farmers were distributed the machineries at subsidised rates as they faced hardship in preparing the lands for agricultural operations during peak season because of labour shortage. To ensure that farmers were not discouraged from taking up cultivation and the net sown area was not affected, they were being offered support with machineries, he added.

When contacted Kakinada Rural MLA Pilli Anantalakshmi denied the allegations of BJP leader. She said power tillers were distributed to farmers at a total subsidy of Rs 22 lakh in the district. She clarified that the opinion of Janmabhoomi committees was taken into consideration while distributing farm machineries among beneficiaries.