Anantapur: CPI stages stir with farmers hit by drought

ANANTAPUR: CPI state secretary K. Ramakrishna lashed out at the state and the Centre over apathy towards farming community of Anantapur and other parts of Rayalaseema region though reeling under severe drought conditions. 

The CPI, along with the CPM and Jana Sena, conducted Karavu Rythu Kavathu (March with Drought-hit Farmers) here on Monday. Farmers of AP Rythu Sangham and other organisations joined the march to expose the woes of farmers due to severe drought conditions. Anantapur City was full with activists holding red flags, taking out a march towards the Collectorate. 

Speaking on the occasion, the CPI state secretary observed that the state government had announced drought mandals across the state, including all 63 mandals of Anantapur. 

“But, not even a single programme was initiated to uplift farmers and farm labourers in the state,” Mr Ramakrishna lamented and further added that alarming rise of farmers’ suicides were being reported across the state, mostly in Rayalaseema region.

He threatened to continue the stir across the state if the government fails to provide minimum welfare measures.

CPM state secretary Madhu said the Left parties would lay siege to government offices at state Capital Amaravati if the State Government will not take minimum measures to uplift farmers and farm labourers. 

Referring to pending dues to be disbursed to farm labourers, the CPM state secretary observed that the government had no sympathy towards the farm labourers who were migrating to other states.