HYDERABAD: The BRS party will step up its agitation demanding full implementation of the Rs 2 lakh farm loan waiver promise to all farmers in the state and will not get distracted by the “diversionary tactics” of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy who is using abusive language against BRS leaders to derail public attention from the failed loan waiver scheme, BRS party working president K.T. Rama Rao said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference, Rama Rao said even in the Chief Minister’s constituency of Kodangal, a large number of farmers have been left out of the scheme. “We gathered data from 26 villages of the unified Kosgi mandal in the constituency. There are five banks with 20,239 farmer accounts. So far, only 8,527 farmers have received the waiver amount, and that too in three installments,” Rama Rao said. “If this is the fate of the Chief Minister’s constituency, what is happening in the rest of the state?” he questioned.
The BRS leader declared that his party would conduct protests on Thursday in all mandal headquarters demanding the full implementation of the waiver to all farmers. He also urged his party leaders before beginning the dharnas to do ‘palabhishekam’ to Telangana Talli statues where they have one and if they do not, do so on a flexi of the Telangana Talli. “The CM has insulted Telangana Talli and I urge all party leaders to beg forgiveness on CM’s behalf for his abuse and insults,” Rama Rao said.
He said only one from a family - even if there is more than one farm loan listed against names on a ration card - is getting the waiver. “For instance, in Erukumalla village of Bommarraspet mandal, Kota Yadagiri’s family has four farmers and they have farm loans of more than Rs 5 lakh. When Revanth Reddy promised the waiver, he did not put any conditions. Every farmer must get the waiver,” Rama Rao said.
“We will stay steadfast in our demand for the loan waiver implementation. There is utter lack of coordination with the CM and his cabinet colleagues giving out different numbers,” Rama Rao said. The CM said the waiver is for Rs 31,000 crore, others gave out other numbers and the Deputy Chief Minister yesterday said only Rs 7,500 crore were given for the waiver. Cases are being filed against farmers agitating demanding the waiver and all such cases must be withdrawn, he added.
