Warangal: State told to rescue farmers

Warangal: Continuing its opposition to the Central government's recently enacted farm laws, the Congress staged a dharna here on Monday. Speaking at the dharna, Warangal District Congress Committee (DCC) President Naini Rajender Reddy demanded the Centre to withdraw all the three agriculture laws unconditionally. Although it's been 47 days since the farmers launched their protest near Delhi opposing the farm laws, the Centre has blithe concern over them, he said.

Reddy accused Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao of changing his tack on farm bills. "The TRS government, which initially opposed the farm bills, has taken a U-turn and stopped procurement in accordance with the Centre," Reddy said. He said that KCR, who went offensive against Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, started implementing the farm laws. KCR is scared of the Centre because of his corruption, thus he took about-turn to protect himself, Reddy alleged.

The DCC chief said that KCR, who stayed in Delhi three days, didn't have time to express solidarity with the protesting farmers, who were braving inclement weather for a cause. It shows KCRs' concern towards farmers, he added.

He said that the TRS government, which promised to purchase the entire crop, left farmers to their fate by stopping the procurement. "KCR, who encouraged farmers to cultivate a fine variety of paddy, not only owes an apology to them but also needs to purchase them by providing a minimum support price (MSP)," Reddy said. Stating that they have staged dharnas at all mandal headquarters between December 30, 2020 and January 8, 2021, Reddy said that the Congress will continue its protests until the Centre rolls back the farm laws.

North Telangana districts coordinator E Venkatram Reddy demanded the State government to start purchasing the farmers' produce by providing MSP. The farm laws would push the entire agriculture sector into crisis, he said.

Later, the police thwarted the bid of Congress leaders' plan to lay siege to Urban Collectorate and arrested them. The Congress leaders who came out on station bail submitted a memorandum to the RDO.

Wardhannapet constituency coordinator Namindla Srinivas expressed fears that middlemen will rule the roost if the farm laws are implemented. Former MP Sircilla Rajaiah, TPCC OBC Department chairman Kathi Venkata Swamy, EV Srinivas Rao, Meesala Prakash, G Amrutha Rao and Dommati Sambaiah, Md Ayub, Dr Puli Anil Kumar, Kuchana Ravali were among others present.