Water crisis to farmer suicides: KCR lashes out at Congress government for 'failing' farmers

Hyderabad: Issuing an ultimatum to the Congress government, former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has threatened to stage a sit-in if water from Godavari is not released.

"Prepare an action plan and get water from Godavari released once its level reaches 200,000 cusecs. Otherwise, I along with the farmers will stage a sit-in at the Medigadda barrage," he said.

KCR threatened to march with 50000 farmers and get water released.

Govt has no idea about Kaleshwaram:

"The government has no idea about the Kaleshwaram project. We planned to complete the project as soon as possible. But now the situation is worse. The government has no idea about the design of the Medigadda barrage. They are just trying to shift blame to the BRS government," said KCR.

Kaleshwaram is a multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River. Touted as the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, its farthest upstream influence is at the confluence of the Pranahita and Godavari rivers.

"When I visited Suryapet, they released water. When I returned, the water flow was stopped. Now, when I visit Karimnagar, they release water. What is the department doing? What are your officials up to?” he asked.

He demanded free water tanker service to help people in Hyderabad. “If the government has some humanity left, start a free water tanker service in Hyderabad. The government is not implementing Mission Bhagiratha," he stated.

On Friday, KCR visited villages in Rajanna Sircilla and interacted with the farmers who have lost their crops due to drought-like conditions.

"A few years back, when the Kaleshwaram project was inaugurated, I promised to save four main water bodies of Karimnagar. But now, during my visit to the district, the scene is different. It looks like a desert", said KCR.

He came down heavily on Congress over Rythu Bandhu, power and water shortage, Kalyan Lakshmi, overseas scholarships, Medigadda Barrage, Kaleshwaram, and other issues.

"I did not open my mouth for 4 months despite the slander and concocted stories in the media. Now I demand the Congress government to come to the rescue of farmers who have suffered losses. I demand the govt to issue them a compensation and bonus, if not a spree of protests will begin," said KCR.

KCR lambasted the Congress government for what he said making false promises. "Farmers in all the villages are crying about crop loss. In districts like Karimnagar, there has been excess rainfall last year. The government failed in water management," he said.

This is KCR's second such visit to meet farmers whose crops were drying up. Earlier, he visited Nalgonda, Suryapet, and Jangaon districts in March.

He alleged the farmers have lost all their investments made to cultivate crops. He said hundreds of acres of crop would have been saved had the water been released at the right time.

Justice for farmers

"When I spoke on farmers' death, the government asked for the data. I submitted the victim names within four hours, but the government has not responded. I demand to reimburse Rs 2500 per acre for every farmer." he added.

KCR asked the government to immediately buy the crops from the farmers. "In the last three months, the government has done nothing. There is no progress on sheep distribution and Dalit Bandhu. Nothing has been done. All the government is doing is scams and blaming the opposition," said KCR

He claimed that the government had not given the promised Rs 4000 pension (Rs 2000 in BRSs govt) to around 30 lakh older adults in the state,

Pending dues of handloom weavers

"I promised to stop suicide deaths of handloom workers. We introduced schemes like Ramzan Tofa and Bathukamma sarees during our rule to help the handloom weavers. In the new regime, the old situation has come down with the government not clearing the pending dues," said KCR. He stated that BRS would protest if the government did not clear the pending order dues.

Congress won by 1.8% vote share:

"The Congress government has just received 1.8% additional votes, which is due to the fake promises announced in the manifesto. You showed dreams of electric vehicles, 1 Tula gold, and a crop loan waiver,” said KCR.