Minister for Irrigation T. Harish Rao has alleged that the opposition Congress has been playing politics over the suicide of farmers in the State instead of creating confidence among them.
“The Congress leaders have no moral right to console the families of farmers who had committed suicide. Why Rahul Gandhi visited farmers’ families only before 2004 and after 2014 and not in between when the party was in power? Had any Congress leaders like K. Jana Reddy visited families of farmers when they were in power,” asked Mr. Harish Rao adding that the TRS Government has extended financial assistance for about 53 families of farmers who had committed suicide during Congress rule. He said that they held meetings with those families at Dubbak, Siddipet, Gajwel and Medak and even had lunch with them inquiring about their other problems.
“Have you provided water for even one acre in Medak district during your rule? Even Ghanapuram and Singoor were completely neglected. There was no response from the government when we asked to provide Rs. 100 crore to take up tank works. After coming to power we had sanctioned Rs. 400 crore so far for the district to take up tanks works under Mission Kakatiya. We are also giving quality power to the farming community and sure to supply nine hour power to farm sector from next season,” said Mr. Harish Rao stating that they have extended Rs. 6 lakh exgratia to the families of farmers, the highest amount being offered by any state government to farmers’ families.
The Minister also wondered why both TDP and BJP were silent about farmers’ suicides and waiving off farm loans in single stake in Andhra Pradesh, being ruled both parties.
Later, Mr. Harish Rao has formally inaugurated ‘Vaiknutha Rathams’ that were handed over to Sangareddy and Sadashivapet municipalities along with local legislator Ch. Prabhakar.
