Khammam: The plights of subabul and eucalyptus farmers have taken a major role in the run up to the elections in Khammam Lok Sabha constituency. A large number of farmers have decided to file nominations to highlight their problems in selling the wood.
A total of 64 farmers who are raising subabul and eucalyptus came to the election office on Friday and collected nomination forms. They said they decided to file nominations on March 25 to highlight their issue.
There is a provision for 16 candidates in a single balloting unit of the EVM and up to a maximum of four units of EVMs can be connected in parallel. The conventional ballot paper or box method of polling is used if the number of candidates exceeds 64.
Vattikonda Srinvas, a subabul farmer said that no political party was taking care of their issues as they were allegedly controlled by ITC-Bhadrachalam Paper Board. He said that farmers from all mandals of the two districts have decided to file nominations in Khammam Lok Sabha constituency.
G. Murali, a farmer from Tallarevu under Tirumalayapalem said, “I was asked to raise subabul four years ago by ITC company representatives, but officials are not giving permission to cut the wood. It is difficult to me to repay my loans.”
Farmers have also explained their issue to CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury who came to the collectorate along with Mr B. Venkat, party candidate contesting from Khammam to file nomination papers.
