Government Is Avoiding Our Questions: Harish Rao

Siddipet MLA and former minister Harish Rao today expressed concerns that the Congress government was avoiding questions in the Assembly.

He alleged that the government hastily cancelled the session to evade responding to critical issues.

Speaking to the media in the Assembly lobby, he said that he had raised objections with the Speaker and Secretary regarding this matter.

Rao also criticised the government's financial policies.

"This government is mortgaging HUDA lands to raise Rs 20,000 crore in loans. They are planning to borrow Rs 10,000 crore from TSIIC, Rs 10,000 crore from HMWSSB, and another Rs 10,000 crore by mortgaging GHMC properties. In total, they will accumulate Rs 50,000 crore in debt. They are trying to silence us instead of answering our questions. The Assembly Speaker must uphold the rights of the members," he said, adding that the government was not posting GOs on the website.

He also accused the government of neglecting the farmers' concerns. "Due to water theft by Andhra Pradesh, crops in Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts are withering. The Rythu Bharosa benefits for the Yasangi season have still not been provided, and when asked about it they had no answer. Farmers suffered losses as they had to sell their produce at lower prices due to the government's failure to establish procurement centres on time. Under our administration, we procured 70 lakh metric tons of paddy per year. The current government has managed only 52 lakh metric tons. Similarly, while we procured 54 lakh metric tons of fine paddy a year, they have only managed 24 lakh metric tons," he said.

"Also, crops are withering under the Devadula project in Warangal district. Farmers in Mallanna Sagar and Dubbak areas are also struggling. When we raised these issues, they cancelled today's Q&A session. Farmers are waiting for the loan waiver, yet the Chief Minister and ministers keep claiming that it has been completed. In reality, 50% of the farmers have not received their waivers. The situation in Nizamabad district is especially bad. In my constituency, only Rs 39 crore have been disbursed under Rythu Bharosa, while Rs 37 crore is pending," he said.