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Amravati, October 26 (IANS) In view of the cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, the YSR Congress Party has postponed its statewide rallies scheduled for October 28 to protest against the privatization of government medical colleges.
The party announced on Sunday that these rallies will now be held on November 4.
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has appealed to the people of cyclone-affected areas to remain alert and take necessary precautions as Cyclone Montha approaches.
He urged the YSRCP leaders, cadres and volunteers to actively assist the local communities by taking precautionary measures, supporting relief and rehabilitation activities wherever necessary.
Meanwhile, former minister and senior YSRCP leader Kakani Govardhan Reddy has accused the Chandrababu Naidu government of gross negligence and complete inaction in the wake of the impending cyclone, especially with regard to the welfare of farmers.
He said while farmers in Nellore, Kurnool and Ongole districts are facing devastation due to heavy rains, the government has neither issued any warning nor taken preventive measures to protect their livelihood.
Govardhan Reddy pointed out that after the recent paddy transplantation, there was an acute shortage of urea, and the government failed to set up procurement centres, forcing farmers to wait helplessly as their crops were washed away in the sudden rains.
“In Nellore district alone, more than 2 lakh acres of crops have been destroyed, while 1 lakh acres of land is submerged in Kurnool, Ongole and surrounding areas,” he said, questioning whether the agriculture minister was even acting or aware of the plight of farmers.
He said mango and cotton farmers have already suffered huge losses and now, with the latest rains, about 50,000 acres of additional crop has been destroyed. He said maize farmers suffered losses of around Rs 12,000 per acre, while paddy farmers in the Krishna and Godavari delta faced serious threats due to the cyclone. Despite the widespread destruction, there has been no announcement of compensation or relief from the government, Govardhan said.
“Chandrababu Naidu neither understands farmers nor gives importance to agriculture,” he said, alleging that Naidu has not held a single review meeting on the agriculture sector since assuming office.
“He insulted tomato and onion farmers when they were struggling with market downturn. During YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure, no farmer ever faced trouble due to shortage of urea. But today, the Naidu government has deliberately dismantled farmer-friendly RBKs (Rythu Bharosa Kendras), ignored input subsidies and made the agriculture department full of brokers and middlemen. Have made a base.” He said.
–IANS
MS/UK