Oppn corners TRS on farmer suicides, accuses it of neglecting farm sector

Hyderabad: The Opposition on Wednesday cornered the TRS government in the Legislative Assembly, accusing it of neglecting the farm sector in the state during its 30-month rule.

Opposition leaders alleged that farmers were in distress due to which the state has achieved the dubious distinction of witnessing the second most farmer suicides in the country as per National Bureau of Crime Records. They lashed out at the government for failing to implement crop loan waiver scheme completely.

Congress MLA N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government failed to keep its word on a one-time settlement of crop loan waiver scheme even after Centre increasing FRBM limit to 3.50 per cent to borrow more loans.

TS TD MLA A. Revanth Reddy said the crop sown area in TS came down by over 7 lakh hectares during TRS rule, exposing how farmers are moving away from agriculture sector.

BJP MLA G. Kishan Reddy said that the government has failed to disburse input subsidy to farmers so far even after the Centre released it last year.

All the parties demanded a one-time settlement of the crop loan waiver scheme.

However, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao ruled out one-time settlement citing financial constraints.

“We said we will pay in four instalments and have already paid three. The last one would be paid next year. Impact of demonetisation will be known in January and we fear TS revenues will come down. Under these conditions, it isn’t possible to pay Rs 4,250 crore (last instalment) in one go,” Mr Rao said.

State to make highways cattle-safe
The TS government plans to set up separate traffic signals/ sign boards on highways for cattle to cross the roads.

This will prevent accidents on highways on account of cattle, home minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy told the Assembly on Wednesday.

Mr Reddy said proposals to set up an exclusive Department of Traffic and Road Safety and 50 highway traffic police stations, (one every 50 km on NH) is under active consideration of the state government.

MLAs cutting across party lines expressed serious concern over increasing road accidents in the state due to drunk driving, poorly-designed and ill-maintained highways and urged government to rectify the deficiencies on a war footing to save precious lives.

They pointed out that the private companies which laid highways were interested only in setting up toll gates and collecting toll charges without providing minimum safety facilities.

BJP floor leader G.Kishan Reddy demanded the government to immediately close wine shops and bars located along the highways as directed by the Supreme Court.

Referring to baby Ramya's death in city due to drunken driving, the minister said, “We have booked criminal cases against the offenders. We have increased police checks to curb drunken driving which are also being done during day time now.”

Imports meet 70% of city’s veggie needs
As much as 70 per cent of Hyderabad’s vegetable needs are being met by imports from other states.

The TS government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that higher dependence on other states has been leading to huge fluctuations in prices.