The CPI state secretary K Sambasiva Rao has demanded that the Central government should buy all the paddy even that was damaged by the untimely rains. “Without shedding the responsibility and passing on the buck, the Centre should compensate even the tenant farmers,” he said.
In March due to rains, the paddy crop in six lakh acres was damaged. In April during the three days of severe rainfall, paddy in 10 lakh acres was damaged. Other crops such as maize, chilli and mango and many other horticultural crops were damaged causing untold misery to the farmers.
The CPI leader described it as unfortunate that the Centre stalled the crop insurance scheme and wanted it to be revived immediately.
He said the farmers were very happy with the Chief Minister KCR’s announcement of Rs. 10,000 per acre towards crop damage and assurance to procure the damaged paddy. However, the Central government should also own the responsibility and come to the rescue of the farmers in Telangana state, he said.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao