Naidu left farmers in lurch, alleged Jagan
Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that former CM N. Chandrababu Naidu left farmers in the lurch, criticizing his policies and approach to agriculture.
Naidu left farmers in lurch, alleged Jagan
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday came down heavily on the TDP-led coalition government, criticising Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for abandoning farmers completely after coming to power.
Interacting with onion and citrus farmers at Duggannagaripalli village in Vemula mandal of Pulivendula constituency, Jagan heard their grievances about not even receiving minimum remunerative prices.
Some farmers told him that while they were supported during the YSRCP Government, the present administration has ignored them, driving them into debt and despair.
Reassuring farmers, Jagan demanded immediate intervention from the government to rescue them. He pointed out that onion, banana, black gram, and other farmers across the State are reeling under price collapse. Adding to their woes, urea is in severe shortage, pushing farmers to the black market at inflated rates, with commissions being pocketed by those in power, he alleged and questioned why urea quotas were not being supplied through Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) and PACS, which had ensured transparency during YSRCP’s rule.
Highlighting the disparity, Jagan noted that Heritage retail outlets sell onions at Rs. 35 per kilo, while farmers are forced to sell at just Rs. 6. “Isn’t it the government’s responsibility to procure onions at a fair price? Even if farmers were paid Rs.25 a kilo, Naidu’s companies could still profit at Rs. 35. But instead of protecting farmers, the government safeguards Heritage’s margins,” he charged.
On fertilizers, Jagan said YSRCP ensured urea at Rs.265 per bag through RBKs, preventing black marketing. Now, farmers are forced to pay Rs. 200 extra per bag or buy pesticides as a condition. He criticised the coalition of bypassing RBKs to allow black market commissions.
He also slammed Chandrababu for betraying farmers on the “Annadata Sukhibhava” scheme, where Rs. 40,000 was promised in two years, but only Rs. 5,000 has been given so far. Free crop insurance provided under YSRCP has also been scrapped.
