KTR accuses Congress, BJP of neglecting Telangana farmers’, seeks pending Rythu Bandhu dues, drought relief

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao accused the Congress government in Telangana and the BJP-led Central government of neglecting distressed farmers and failing to provide relief amid drought conditions in the State.

Addressing a public meeting titled ‘Rythu Garjana’ in Nirmal on Wednesday evening, Mr. Rao alleged that the Congress government had turned the drought situation into a man-made crisis by prioritizing politics over farmers’ issues and failing to utilize available water resources.

He accused the government of deliberately neglecting major irrigation projects. Though the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Project was nearly 90% complete, it had been stalled, while the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) was also being neglected, he alleged.

“Why nearly 1,000 TMC of Telangana’s rightful share of Godavari and Krishna waters was being allowed to flow downstream,” he questioned while citing Pattiseema and water supply to Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh.

He questioned why Andhra Pradesh’s projects were receiving water while Palamuru and Nirmal were facing drought.

Mr. Rao alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was more concerned about political criticism than addressing farmers’ hardships.

Recalling the initiatives launched during the BRS government, he said former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao had implemented several programmes, including Mission Kakatiya, a 24-hour power supply, 11 instalments of Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima and decentralised paddy procurement.

Targeting the BJP, Mr. Rao accused its eight MPs and eight MLAs of failing to protect farmers’ interests.

Questioning the ‘Centre’s response’ to the drought, he asked “why assessment teams were being sent to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra while Telangana’s drought situation was being ignored.”

He challenged BJP leaders to stage a dharna outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi demanding drought relief and adequate financial assistance for the State.

He demanded that the State government immediately release all four pending instalments of Rythu Bandhu.

He also sought monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 for 36 months, amounting to ₹36,000, for every agricultural labourer who had lost livelihood due to drought.

He further demanded rescheduling of agricultural loans and completion of pending farm loan waiver.