Even as Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday patted his own back for the “excellent relief and rescue operations” during the Cyclone Montha in the state, his predecessor and YSR Congress party President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy lashed out at him for neglecting the farming community during the cyclone devastation.
In a video conference with party’s regional coordinators and other functionaries from the YSRCP central office at Tadepalli, Jagan said farmers have been left without any assurance and said the current crisis during the cyclone a man-made calamity created by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Jagan recalled that during the YSRCP government, free crop insurance was implemented systematically, covering 85 lakh farmers and 70 lakh acres, with the government paying the insurance premium on behalf of farmers, and Rs 7,802 crore compensation was paid to 54.55 lakh farmers in five years.
He contrasted this with the present situation, where only 19 lakh farmers and 19 lakh acres are insured, that too only those who have taken bank loans, as banks collected the premiums while providing credit.
He stated that for two years, not a single season’s premium has been paid by the current government, leaving the majority of farmers exposed and causing severe financial distress.
“What about the remaining farmers? Where is crop security now? This is clearly a man-made calamity,” he emphasised.
He said that in the last 16 months, the agriculture sector has completely deteriorated under the TDP-led coalition. The government has not provided an input subsidy, despite having to pay Rs 600 crore to 5.5 lakh farmers, and has not supported farmers in any crop season.
“Every season farmers suffered, and not once did this government come to their rescue. When a government works responsibly, lives are not lost. During Montha, their publicity was at its peak, but relief on the ground was completely weak,” he said.
Jagan praised party leaders and cadres for standing with the people during the cyclone and directed them to stand firmly with farmers during crop damage assessment.
He said no farmer should face injustice in enumeration, and if the government attempts any manipulation or tries to commit mistakes, party leaders must question it and ensure the process is corrected.
He emphasised that farmers must receive fair compensation and instructed leaders to remain vigilant and proactive so that no beneficiary is left out.
