Union Minister Bandi Sanjay criticised Telangana government over crop crisis

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar has strongly criticised the Telangana government for its negligence in addressing the current crop crisis, which has resulted in extensive damage to agricultural produce. In a statement issued in Hyderabad on Thursday, the Union Minister alleged that despite paddy being sown in 56 lakh acres and maize in 7 lakh acres across the state, about 10 lakh acres of crops have dried up due to the government not releasing water at the right time. For further updates on the situation in Hyderabad, check out Vaartha Hyderabad.

Irrigated crops have been severely affected

He particularly mentioned that irrigated crops in ayacut areas have been severely affected, yet no concrete measures have been taken by the administration to mitigate the damage. Bandi Sanjay Kumar informed that the bountiful rains this year have filled the reservoirs and ponds to the brim. As a result, paddy production during the rainy season reached a record yield of over 160 lakh metric tonnes. Consequently, cultivation of paddy and maize increased during the yasangi season, along with cultivation of other crops such as sorghum, pulses, and oilseeds. However, the State Government neither opposed the large-scale planting of yasangi crop nor prepared any effective alternative cropping plan.

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay criticised the Telangana government for failing to manage water resources efficiently despite the availability of over 190 TMC of water in major reservoirs like Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Sriram Sagar, Yellampalli, LMD, and Singur. He claimed that the government's failure to release this water on time had led to massive crop losses. For the latest updates on this issue, visit Vaartha E-paper.

Accused of ignoring the farmers' movement

“Farmers who had invested more than Rs 30,000 per acre are now facing huge losses as their crops dry up just weeks before harvesting,” said Bandi Sanjay. He condemned the government for ignoring the farmers’ agitation and not paying heed to their pleas. He also criticised the agriculture department for not acknowledging the farmers’ plight and said many farmers have been forced to graze cattle in dry fields or burn their ruined crops.

Demand to discuss the crisis

The minister accused the state government of negligence and stressed that farmers are already grappling with unresolved financial issues, including pending insurance payments, incomplete loan waivers, and lack of compensation for past crop losses. He challenged the Congress government, which claims to prioritise farmers' welfare, to answer for its inaction. "It is shameful that the Congress government has failed to address the problems of farmers in the Assembly," he said. He urged the government to immediately discuss the crisis in the Assembly and announce necessary assistance for farmers. On behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Bandi Sanjay Kumar demanded that the Telangana government release water from the state's reservoirs without delay to prevent further damage to agriculture.