HYDERABAD: BJP MLA Etala Rajendar on Thursday challenged the state government to a debate on 24-hour power supply to the farm sector, saying that nowhere in the state were farmers getting the promised supply.
“Coupled with the lack of water in Nagarjunasagar, farmers are in dire straits. The government must prove that it is supplying the power it promised to the farm sector,” he said.
He criticised the government for not fully implementing the farm loan waiver, adding, “By sitting on the promise for four-and-a-half years and implementing it before the elections, the government has ensured that no farmer is able to obtain fresh loans. The interest burden almost match the principal loan amounts availed by the farmers.”
The money to waive the loans was partially from sale of land, the ORR tolling deal and auction of licences to liquor shops, he said, adding, “The state government is surviving by raising funds like this on a hand to mouth basis.”
Speaking with reporters, he warned there was a real danger of incidents such as the one in Kakatiya University, where the police beat up students with sanction from the university’s Vice Chancellor, repeating in other universities.
He said incidents which did not even occur at the peak of Telangana's statehood movement had occurred at Warangal, and this showed the government's disdain towards students.
Hyderabad: CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka lauded Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for embarking on an unprecedented padayatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari last year. He was speaking at a meeting to commemorate the event on Thursday; the party held rallies and meetings at the district and Assembly constituency levels to mark the occasion.
Speaking near the Dr B.R. Ambedkar statue at Saroornagar, Bhatti said, “Our country is a melange of castes, religions and regions. Everyone born in the country is an Indian. Rahul wants us to be united and work together for building the nation and embarked on this yatra.”
The BJP was trying to create fissures among the people on religious lines which was leading to divisions, Bhatti said. “The BJP is not happy with the unity that is a hallmark of our country.”
“The resources of the country should be equally distributed to the people of this country. The BJP is giving national assets to he multi-national companies. The nation will be secure under the Congress,” he said and added that the party would win both the state and central polls.
Former TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy addressing a rally in Kodad, said the anniversary of the yatra was a historic occasion. He said, “Rahul Gandhi is the hope of the country and Congress is committed to the protection of all democratic institutions in the country. It believes in all communities living together in true harmony and upliftment of the downtrodden sections of society.”
