Harish Rao: Congress budget neglected Telangana farmers, no allocations for loan waivers

Hyderabad: Former minister and Siddipet BRS MLA T Harish Rao criticised the Congress government for making tall claims on development which are ‘far from the truth.’ The interim budget introduced by them completely neglected farmers, youth, and students, he said.

Speaking to the media after participating in the interim Telangana budget sessions at the Telangana Legislative Assembly on Saturday, he said that the allocations made to the agriculture sector will not benefit farmers.

“Telangana farmers will feel discouraged about how Congress has structured the state budget. Meagre funds were allotted to agriculture by chief minister A Revanth Reddy who had pledged to do everything for the farmers,” the BRS MLA said.

“The state budget has deeply disappointed the people of Telangana. People’s governance in the state is abysmal. In the Congress manifesto, it was clearly mentioned that the chief minister would hold public grievances every day. The Congress’ rule started with broken promises. They could not give clarity to the people regarding the implementation of six guarantees,” he said.

‘No funds allocated for farm loan waivers’

Giving a detailed outline of the allocations made to the agriculture sector, Harish Rao said that Rs 19,746 crores was proposed for the agriculture sector out of which Rs 3,000 crore will be spent on salaries for employees.

“How can the Congress government implement the promises given to farmers with remaining Rs 16,000 crores? Around Rs 22,500 crores is required to provide Rythu Bharosa with 1.5 lakh acres of land. The government promised to implement a Rs 2 lakh loan waiver for farmers from December 9. So far, there are no signs in this regard. Around Rs 40,000 crores are required to implement loan waivers for farmers. Not even a single paisa allocated in the budget,” the former minister said.

‘Congress leaders lied to farmers’

Harish Rao said that the grand old party promised to provide a bonus for all types of crops. “This will require Rs 15,000 crores and to implement all these promises Rs 82,000 crores is required. The Congress should get ready to face the heat from the farmers for allocating a meagre Rs 16,000 crores to the agriculture sector,” he said and added that the Congress leaders lied about farmers’ welfare during their election campaign.

‘Congress failed to provide free power’

On 24/7 power supply to the farmers, Harish Rao said that the Congress government had utterly failed to supply 24/7 power to farmers in the state. Only 15 hours of power supply is being given to the farmers, he said.

“I am challenging Congress to visit any sub-station in the state with me to check the power supply. Farmers were happy during the BRS regime with the free power supply to them and lakes were revamped. It was KCR who made farmers a king, while the Congress government betrayed the farmers with false promises. Instead of focusing on farmers’ welfare, the Congress government is keen on releasing white papers,” he said.

The former minister also questioned the government for bringing a law to implement all the six guarantees promised by them. “Not even a single rupee was sanctioned in the budget for the loan waiver for farmers and there is also no mention of the allowance for the unemployed youth in the state,” Harish Rao added.