The Telangana Joint Action Committee (T-JAC) which played the role of a special purpose vehicle during the agitation for Statehood has now assumed for itself the responsibility of creating awareness among farmers in a bid to stem their suicide in the new State.
In one of its few meetings after the formation of Telangana on Sunday, the committee came up with a roadmap both for the government and the Opposition to make agriculture profitable for the distressed farmers. It appealed to the government to take the Opposition into confidence while framing strategies. The committee pointed out that the problems of farmers belonging to Telangana were never discussed in the united State. Therefore, the Opposition was also bound to come up with concrete proposals instead of resorting to mudslinging against the government.
The JAC chairman M. Kodandaram told the media later that the committee expected a meaningful discussion when the debate on suicide and power crisis figured in the Assembly on Monday. The farmers were eager to know the solution from the government.
Referring to the space available to JAC to go to the aid of farmers in the present circumstances, Mr. Kodandaram said the organisation could play a role in ensuring that the power purchase agreements with Andhra Pradesh were implemented. If the PPAs were honoured, nearly 40 per cent of power shortage could be filled.
As part of measures to save power, the JAC suggested switching off air-conditioners in government offices and use of solar power for hoardings. The farmers must use capacitors for pump sets.
The hour-long meeting of the steering committee of JAC felt that installation of capacitors for the 20 lakh pump sets across the State might cost about Rs. 150 crore but it would go a long way in helping the small and marginal farmers who constituted 80 per cent of farm hands. The government must also promote gas-based power stations to ease the situation. The JAC proposed to submit an action plan for agriculture sector to the government.
