Chief Minister blames Congress for incidents of crop burning

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has blamed the Congress party for a few incidents of burning of crops by farmers of Telangana State.

Intervening on the issue during Question Hour in Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, the Chief Minister alleged that the Congress leaders, in connivance with anti-social elements, were provoking the farmers to burn their produce at few places. He said they were also responsible for burning of chilli crops in Khammam. He said the Congress leaders were carrying out false propaganda against the TRS Government by making video clippings of such incidents.

The Chief Minister also ruled out giving full compensation for the crops which were loss due to unseasonal rains. He said the amount of four budgets would not be sufficient if compensation is paid for the damaged crops. However, he said that the State Government pays part compensation and in case of major losses, assistance from Central Government is taken. He said it was wrong to blame the State Government for every incident. He said that the Congress party ruled the country for almost 40 years and never in the past, was full compensation paid for the damaged crop.

KCR said that the State Government was trying its best to help the affected farmers. He said that the government would provide input subsidy of Rs. 8,000 per acre annually from next year onwards. Further, he said the farmers would also be ensured properly supply of seeds and fertilizers.

Earlier, replying to a question raised by Congress MLA T. Jeevan Reddy and other, Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy denied the allegation that some Khammam farmers were implicated in false cases. He said cases were also registered during the last 10 year rule of Congress party. He said cases would be booked against those who take law into their own hands.

Pocharam accused the Congress party of trying to gain political mileage out of the issue. He said this year nearly 33 lakh Metric Tonnes of cotton was produced. Of this, as many as 21,869 MTs of cotton has been purchased. Remaining cotton would be procured through Cotton Corporation of India and private parties. Similarly, he said 42,438 MTs of Maize and 5,972 MTs of Soyabean was also purchased.

Speaking on the issue, Jeevan Reddy described TRS Government as anti-farmer. He demanded payment of bonus of Rs. 500 per quintal for cotton, maize and paddy.

Not satisfied with the reply given by the Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister, the Congress members staged a walk out from the House.