Telangana Govt took ryots, staff for a ride on Nizam Sugars

​Nizamabad: The Dasa Disa programme on Saturday brought to light the anguish and agony of the farmers who have been suffering unprecedented drought and the manner in which the employees of the Nizam Sugar Factory have been thrown on streets following its closure.

While the farmers expressed their anguish over the government’s failure to come to their rescue, the Nizam Sugars employees said that they were unable to meet the medical expenses and their children were thrown out of schools as they could not pay the fees. The farmers complained that they had not received any help even after making several representations to Nizamabad MP Kavitha, Minister for Agriculture Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and other leaders.

Ch Ganga Reddy, a farmer from Ankapur village said that the once a model village was now badly hit by drought. He said that the ground water levels had depleted to 1,000 feet due to the sand mafia. The participants said that as many as 279 famers committed suicide but the State government had identified only 60 and out of them only four were paid the compensation.

Venkataramulu, a farmer urged the TRS government to save the farmers. He accused the Centre and State of cheating farmers in providing aid to the drought hit mandals. “The Centre claims they have granted Rs 790 crore towards drought relief and the State government confirms the receipt of funds.

Then where did the money go,” he wondered. The ruling party representatives, however, rebutted the charge by saying that government has been making all efforts to help the farmers. TRS MLA Ganesh Gupta said the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao understands the problems, since he is a practicing farmer. He said the government was making all out efforts to help the farmers.

Kumara Swamy, a worker in Nizam sugar factory said that they have been cheated by the TRS government. He said that the State government did not come to their rescue even after layoff in December 2015. Bikshapathi, who served Nizam sugar factory, said that he had sold his bicycle to meet the daily expenses.

The workers claim that they have not received any aid from the State government instead it has snapped electricity and water connection. Upender, son of Nizam sugar factory worker said that even the last rites of workers were performed by collecting donations. The ruling party representatives rebutted the charge and TRS party leader Ganesh Gupta said the government is chalking out plans to handover the factory to the local farmers. The programme was moderated by P Venkata Krishna, Chief Editor, Debates and Discussions.