Rythu Bandhu benefiting only the rich: Shabbir

Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir today charged that the Rythu Bandhu scheme of TRS Government was only benefiting the land lords and not the real farmers.

Commenting on the speech delivered by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao during Telangana Formation Day celebrations, Shabbir Ali said there was nothing new in the Chief Minister's scheme. He said that the Rythu Bandhu scheme was grossly misused and it would deny poor farmers subsidies on fertilizers and seeds. He said KCR only indulged in blame game on Congress during his speech and had nothing new to offer to people of Telangana. "KCR took full credit for all good things that happened in Telangana including rainfall. But he blamed Congress party and earlier governments for all the ills and even his failure to implement the poll promises made to farmers, women, minorities and students," he said.

Shabbir said during Telangana agitation KCR had accusd the Andhra people of looting the poor in Telagnana. But today, all works of irrigation and civil supplies have been awarded to contractors and workers from Andhra. "KCR, his family and his 'bhajan mandali' members were the only beneficiaries of all development works and not the people of Telangana," he said. He also alleged that KCR has forgotten the martyrs of Telangana and also the farmers who committed suicide. He said so far only 10,000 out of 2.6 lakh proposed units of double bed room houses have been constructed. Similarly, out of 1.07 lakh jobs, only 27,000 vacancies have been fulfilled. Muslims and STs are still waiting for the promises 12% reservation and KG to PG free education is a mirage. However, he said Telangana has been turned into a liquor State under TRS rule.

Describing KCR's rule as 'Tughlaq Raj', Shabbir said people would throw TRS out of power in next elections.