CM Jagan to face protest from farmers in Kalyanadurgam

Anantapur: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is scheduled to visit Kalyanadurgam in Anantapur district as part of the Rythu Dinotsavam celebrations that mark the birth anniversary of former CM, Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, on July 8.

The visit is likely to raise political heat as farmers have threatened to organise a protest against the CM, alleging that the government did not do justice to them in the face of a major crop loss and the crop insurance scheme was of no help to them.

The farmers, who are organised by the TD, CPI and CPM, have been protesting in several parts of the region over injustice being done to them in relation to the faulty crop insurance facility.

The Chief Minister, after attending prayers at YSR Ghat in Idupulapaya and Pulivendula and attending the two-day programmes in Kadapa district, would visit Kalyanadurgam on Saturday to attend Rythu Dinotsavam.

The Rayalaseema regional coordinator and incharge minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy reviewed the arrangements for the public meeting at Kalyandurg. He told the media that the CM would release the input subsidy for farmers during his visit.

 The minister called on farmers and their families who benefited from the government schemes that they should welcome the Chief Minister’s visit.

Protests were witnessed in Uravakonda and several farmers were booked in cases for their involvement. Former minister Paritala Sunitha came down heavily on the YSRC government, saying its police were registering cases against “innocent” farmers.

“A farmer got a paltry sum of ₹34 as compensation for crop failure against his  insurance for an acre, there is no justice,” she lamented.

CPI state secretary K. Ramakrishna alleged that the Chief Minister was celebrating Rythu Dinotsavam but there was no justice to the farmers who incurred huge losses due to crop failure amid the heavy floods and rains.