The Hindu : DCC padayatras to highlight Govt. `failures'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 24, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

DCC padayatras to highlight Govt. `failures'

By Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR APRIL 23. The District Congress Committee (DCC) has planned `padayatras' from April 24 to May 1 to infuse confidence among the drought-ravaged farmers, to expose the State and Central Governments' failure in lending a helping hand to people in distress and also to express solidarity with the `padayatra' taken up by the CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

The DCC president, A. Venkatarami Reddy, said here on Wednesday that the DCC padayatras were christened as Anantha Akrandana' (the cry of Anantapur). All the party legislators and leaders would visit all constituencies during the campaign. The campaign would conclude on May 2 with laying siege to the Collectorate.

The drought had unprecedented impact on farmers, farm workers, labourers and the poor this year. The district had not witnessed such a worst drought in the recent past. But, the Government was washing off its hands with eye wash measures, he alleged.

As there had been crop failure for the last four years, the position of the farming community had deteriorated badly. About 300 farmers ended their lives during the last three years and another 46 committed suicide in the first four months of 2003, the DCC president said.

In such a situation, the Government was resorting to seizure and auction of farmers' assets on their inability to repay the loan. Their pumpsets were being confiscated for non-payment of the farm power bills, Mr. Reddy stated.

Farmers would be educated during the campaign against suicide tendency explaining that the step was not a solution to their problems. Instead, they would be inspired to fight the Government policies. Farmers would also be told that struggle would only get some result as had happened last year in realising the input subsidy and the special package worth about Rs. 375 crores.

Mr. Reddy criticised the administration for discontinuing the mid-day meal scheme in schools 15 days in advance to their closure for summer vacation, though the rice was being given by the Centre.

He also pointed out that assurances of the TDP leaders about changes in the crop insurance policy remained unfulfilled so far.

Refuting the TDP criticism that the Congress was taking up `padayatras' only for political mileage, the DCC president said people were aware of the motives of all parties.

The TDP had no answers for the large-scale migration, withering of crops due to erratic power supply and other problems.

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