Telangana Congress leaders have demanded the government compensate the farmers who could not cultivate paddy due to the threats from the government and also questioned; the CBI enquiry into millers purchasing paddy and the hasty cancellation of G.O. 111 that threatens the very survival of the reservoirs meant for water supply to the twin cities.
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In a representation to the Governor, Tamilisai Soundararajan here on Wednesday, the party alleged irrational decisions by the government and erratic governance leading to chaos in the administration and sought her intervention in protecting the Constitution and lives of Telangana people.
The delegation was led by TPCC president, A. Revanth Reddy and consisted of senior leaders Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, MP; T. Jayaprakash Reddy, MLA; former Union Ministers, Renuka Chowdary and Balaram Naik; TPCC working presidents, Anjan Kumar Yadav, J. Geetha Reddy; former Ministers Shabbir Ali, V. Hanmantha Rao and senior leaders Madhu Yaskhi Goud, Ponnam Prabhakar, M. Kodanda Reddy, Dasoju Sravan, Anil Kumar Yadav among others.
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Mr. Revanth Reddy said that the Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao purposefully created uncertainty, confusion, and delayed paddy procurement during Rabi, and as a result, nearly 35% to 40% of farmers were already exploited due to distress sale. These farmers lost about Rs. 4,000 crores.
Farmers forcibly abandoned Paddy and adopted alternate crops such as Black Gram, Green Gram, Red Gram, Bengal Gram, Jowar, Corn, Ragi, Foxtail, peas etc, on approximately 15 to 16 lakh acres of land. All these farmers need to be compensated as the government deliberately misled them.
“It is also reported that a few important men in the government of Telangana have colluded with millers in this exploitation of farmers and thereby forcible procurement, which needs to be inquired into by the CBI,” he said.
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Similarly, enquiry should also cover the missing 8 lakh tonnes of paddy supposed to be given to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) procured in the last two seasons. The Union Minister, G. Kishan Reddy went on record stating that the Government of Telangana did not hand over this to FCI raising serious doubts over the government shifting it to the black market.
GO111 removal irrational
Terming the government’s decision to withdraw GO 111 as dictatorial, the Congress said it would destroy the two historical major freshwater lakes - Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar, and also endanger the flora and fauna dependent on these two lakes. “CM announced on the floor of the assembly that a separate committee was constituted to study the feasibility of removing the 111 GO. However, without even the submission of the report by the Committee such a crucial decision was taken,” the representation said.
Mr. Revanth Reddy alleged that there was a serious insider trading of lands surrounded in and around GO 111 which needs to be inquired into by the CBI. “Over the last five years, it appears that the TRS leadership and their henchmen have purchased nearly one million acres of land from innocent farmers and real estate business interests have led to the abolition of the GO,” he said.
The Congress delegation also urged the Governor to look into how the government has managed the drugs consumption issue in Telangana without revealing the names or publishing the report of the enquiry done a couple of years ago where the names of prominent film personalities cropped up.
Congress also expressed deep concern over Rs. 60,000 crore losses to discoms due to the lopsided policies of the current TRS government. The Electricity Regulatory Commission has not even questioned the government on why dues to discoms worth Rs 13,600 crores, of which Rs 9000 crores are for lift irrigation projects, were not paid. Instead, the TSERC has burdened the people to cover up the losses accured due to the government’s policies and dues.