Intellectuals urge politicians to be people and farmer-friendly

HYDERABAD: Expressing that creation of Telangana did not fulfill the wishes of people as regards getting benefits, achievers from diverse fields on Sunday opined that there was a need to incorporate new issues in the political manifesto, especially those revolving around farmers, students, women, unemployed youth and the common man.

This was the outcome of a round table meeting themed ‘Future Telangana Vedika’ of intellectuals and professionals organised by senior BJP leader Etala Rajendar at Jala Vihar here on Sunday.

Former DGP K. Aravinda Rao said that national security is paramount and the governments must focus on it given the threat perceptions and increase in terror activities from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Sabka Saath and Sabka Vikas is a strong and workable slogan, he said.

Sunil Kumar, who works on farmers’ issues in Telangana, said that lakhs of complaints are pending since the introduction of Dharani portal and the government must go for a fresh survey on farmers and their properties. Even though the Centre is ready to provide funds for a resurvey of lands in Telangana, the state government has been found wanting on utilisation of funds.

"Even after nine years, farmers are still facing a lot of issues in getting passbooks on their names, ostensibly because of technical glitches in Dharani portal," Sunil Kumar said.

Progressive Recognised Teachers Association leader K. Mohan Reddy alleged that the state government is neglecting the education system. There are thousands of vacancies in government schools and many schools lack basic facilities. There are no education officers in over 500 mandals in the state, he said.

Dr. Anil Kumar said that the government is only concentrating on increasing medical colleges and seats rather than providing facilities in the existing medical colleges. A number of medical colleges, including private institutions, have no proper infrastructure, he said.

Meanwhile, Rajendar said that they would conduct a public meeting in the city on August 6 to highlight the failures of the BRS government. They will be releasing a booklet on government failures during the meeting, he said.

He said they had received a number of complaints from intellectuals and professionals, especially in sectors like education, medical, and agriculture. Government schools have failed to provide quality education, he said.

Thousands of schools have been shut down due to lack of facilities and the government has failed to maintain the remaining government schools, he said.
The BJP election management committee chairman alleged that by allowing private universities in the state, the state government has ruined even the existing government-run universities.