Save Farmers From Distress, YSRCP Tells Naidu

Demanding that the Chandrababu Naidu government implement its poll promise of waiving all agriculture loans immediately, the YSR Congress said that farmers in AP were in distress as the sowing operation needed to commence and there was no word from the State in this regard.

"Farmers are facing unprecedented uncertainty with rainfall playing truant, bankers refusing to sanction fresh loans, and no assurance coming from the Andhra Pradesh government though the sowing operations are due for the Kharif season," party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu told reporters on Saturday.

"Lack of rains and the State government delaying the loan waivers on some pretext or the other has put the farming community in a quandary, and we demand that the Chandrababu Naidu government immediately address to the needs of the farmers by first waiving off all agricultural loans.

"TDP leaders have been speaking in different voices adding to the woes of the farmers, be it talking of constituting a committee, fixing a ceiling or searching for other escape routes. A majority of the people in Seemandhra are dependent on agriculture, and the government ignoring or playing with their interests will not be tolerated," Rambabu said.

Chandrababu Naidu, who had once declared that agriculture was a waste, had changed his tune during the elections, and along with the loan waiver promise, had said that he wanted to make agriculture more profitable, Rambabu stated.

"But the deeds of the TDP government have been otherwise. The MSP has been increased only by Rs 50, which shows the scant respect Naidu has for farmers. During his previous term of 9 years he had increased the MSP by Rs 170, while YSR in his 5.3 year rule had increased it from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 and the succeeding Congress government had hiked it by Rs 300, which shows who has more concern for farmers," he said.

He said that the loan waivers should be processed immediately for all agriculture loans, failing which the farming community would be at a loss. He recalled that the farmers had earlier declared a crop holiday.

Incidents of forcible recovery of loans from farmers were also being reported though Chandrababu Naidu during his electioneering had openly appealed to the people not to pay the dues, Rambabu alleged.

"Any government that deceives the farmers will have to pay a heavy price, and the TDP should honour its commitment as the agricultural operations are fast approaching," Rambabu added. (INN)