Pawan Kalyan Accuses Jagan Of Breaking Promises To Paddy Farmers

Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan today alleged that the paddy farmers of Andhra Pradesh were being cheated by the Jaganmohan Reddy government which was brazenly breaking its promises to them.

"The government promised payments within 48 hours of sale at the paddy purchase centres, but isn't giving the money even weeks after the sale of the paddy. As a result the farmers are unable to raise the second crop, and are being put to huge inconvenience. The YSR Congress came to power promising farmers' welfare and bharosa (assurance) during the elections, but is breaking its promises after assuming office," Kalyan said.

Kalyan claimed that the government owed Rs 2,016 crore till now to farmers who had sold their paddy, and that the due amount was increasing every day. He also said that more than one lakh farmers were eagerly waiting for money from their sale of paddy.

"When the farmers are desperately waiting for their lawful dues to be able to raise the second crop, what are the concerned departments doing? The government needs to clarify when it is going to clear the dues to them. It is irresponsibility on the part of the government to not give answers to the farmers. We had already pointed out the incompetence in planning and laxity of the government in the purchase of the kharif crop and payments in December itself, during the Rythu Soubhagya Deeksha. The government has to tell the farming community whether it have allocated funds for paddy purchase or not. And if it has allocated funds, it should let us know where the funds have gone," Kalyan said.