K Chandrasekhar Rao delaying waivers: Uttam Kumar Reddy

Hyderabad: TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday accused Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of neglecting the agriculture sector.

Addressing a Rythu Rana Bheri at Devar-konda in Nalgonda district, Mr Reddy criticised the TRS government for not fulfilling its promise of waiving crop loans of up to Rs 1 lakh.

He said the Chief Minister wanted the farmers to remain indebted till the next elections. He said that about 37 lakh farmers were tied up in old debts due to non-fulfillment of the TRS government’s promise.

Nearly 3.5 lakh wo-men who had pledged their jewellery had not got any relief. Mr Rao was causing delay in clearing crop loan dues while diverting funds for other purposes, he added.

The state Congress president also alleged that '920 crore, received from the Centre towards drou-ght relief, was diverted to other schemes by the TRS government due to which farmers did not get any financial assistance either from the state government or the Centre.

He demanded that the government cleared crop loan waiver dues at one go immediately. Mr Reddy accused the government of resorting to forced land acquisition for projects.

Stating that farmers had lost four crops in a row due to the negligence of the TRS government, he demanded that all affected farmers be extended help in the ongoing Kharif season.