Jagan assures crop loans free of interest to ryots

Nellore: On the day of total lunar eclipse, YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy compared the eclipse with the rule of N Chandrababu Naidu in the State where standards of lives of people were dwindling with each passing day. Jagan addressed a meeting at Podalakur in Sarvepalli constituency on Wednesday as part of his Praja Sankalpa Yatra.

Jagan criticised Naidu stating that his wife was busy with flag hoisting at their residence and his brother-in-law and Tollywood actor Balakrishna occupied his chair when the Chief Minister was touring abroad which indicates who were ruling the state.

He lamented that even President of India and his family members were provided an unlicensed boat for riding in River Krishna in unsecured conditions. The State had become debt-ridden and corruption turned rampant.

He alleged that Constitutional rights and laws were being ignored in the State. The Opposition leader alleged that due to involvement of the Chief Minister in Cash-for-vote scam, he failed to demand that the Union government sanction Special Status and other benefits to the State.

Jagan alleged that just for publicity sake, the Chief Minister had violated crowd management guidelines thus causing the death of 29 pilgrims during Godavari Pushkaralu.

He said not even a single brick was arranged as part of permanent structure of the capital city and the leaders were grabbing all valuable lands in the region. Now, Janmabhoomi committees were collecting money for ration cards, old-age pensions and even for toilets being sanctioned by the Union government.

Referring to local issues in Nellore district, Jagan said even though many SEZs have come up not adequate number of local youth were preferred for employment. He said they would make a rule if they form government that 75 pc of employment avenues should be earmarked for local jobless in such SEZs and other industrial units.

Lambasting the Chief Minister for his failure to fulfill poll promises, he said if people are ready to listen, the Chief Minister would say that he would provide 1 kg gold, a Benz car and other benefits to them. But Naidu will not provide basic amenities to them, he said.

He asked people to be vigilant saying he is ready to provide crop loans at free of interest, financial assistance of Rs 12,500 to every farmer before season, MSP for all crops and creating a price stabilisation fund with Rs 3,000 crore.

The Opposition leader also assured that he would give a subsidy of Rs 4 per litre of milk that regulates uneven competition in the dairy industry besides setting up dairy units under cooperative sector for more support to the farmers.