Naidu left farmers in lurch, alleges Jagan

Pulivendula (Kadapa): 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 Rs35 per kilo, while farmers are forced to sell at just Rs6. “Isn’t it the government’s responsibility to procure onions at a fair price? Even if farmers were paid Rs25 a kilo, Naidu’s companies could still profit at Rs35. But instead of protecting farmers, the government safeguards Heritage’s margins,” he charged.