Heated arguments at Medak ZP meet on farm sector

Last year’s drinking water transportation charges not paid so far, alleges Opposition

Farmers’ welfare: Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy and others attending Medak Zilla Parishad general body meeting at Sangareddy on Tuesday.

The general body meeting of the Zilla Parishad witnessed heated arguments between ruling TRS members and the Opposition. Led by Deputy Speaker M. Padma Devender Reddy, ruling party proposed, adopted and passed a resolution thanking Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for proposing to offer ₹ 8,000 to farmers for purchase of fertilizer from next year in two phases.

The meeting was presided over by ZP Chairperson M. Rajamani and attended by MLA Chinta Prabhakar and others. Both Ms. Padma and Mr. Prabhakar countered the allegations made by Congress members in the meeting.

Though the meeting began on a smooth note and discussed about rural water supply, heated arguments began duirng the discussion on farm sector.

ZPTC members from Congress party Mr. Prabhakar and Mr. Srinivas Reddy questioned the seriousness of the Government and dared to extend assistance from this season itself. They alleged that the State Government had failed to transfer ₹ 791 crore input subsidy extended to farming community by the Union Government. They also pointed out that 66% of funds for current year as well were released by the Centre. The Congress leaders said that many farmers had not got insurance despite paying premium.

Countering these allegations, Ms. Padma Devender Reddy said that Congress was responsible for the current state of affairs and problems of farmers. She said that Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao had been trying to correct them and improve the living standards of farmers.

“Farmers used to stand on road for fertilizers and pesticides during the Congress rule. That situation has changed now for better. We are trying to improve the situation further,” she said adding that the Opposition was trying to create hurdles in all the efforts being put in by the Government.

Mr. Chinta Prabhakar said that the Government had waived off ₹ 17,000 crore to benefit farmers. The Congress leaders alleged that farmers were forced to pay ₹ 40,000 to ₹ 60,000 as interest component. They said that last year’s transportation charges on drinking water were not cleared so far. Responding to this, Ms. Padma said that the dues would be cleared in the next four to five days.