Harish Rao Accuses Telangana Government of Failing Farmers as Drought and Power Crisis Bite

HYDERABAD: T. Harish Rao, Deputy Floor Leader of the BRS Legislature Party and former minister, on Monday accused the Congress government in Telangana of mishandling the drought-like situation, power shortages and the irrigation crisis in the State.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Rao said the government had failed to prepare for El Nino conditions despite forecasts and warnings issued over the past nine months. He alleged that no concrete measures had been taken to protect farmers and agricultural labourers.

The BRS leader claimed Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had no time to interact with farmers, despite messages asking them to assemble at Rythu Vedikas at 11 a.m. The virtual interaction was cancelled as the Chief Minister was occupied with political engagements, Mr. Rao alleged.

Referring to reports that the government had advised farmers against taking up the second, or Rabi, crop because of water and power shortages, he asked: “How will they survive without cultivation, and what will happen to agricultural labourers who depend on daily wages from farm work?” He demanded that the government announce an alternative action plan instead of issuing what he called free advice.

Migration under way

Mr. Rao said agricultural labourers from Mahabubnagar and Jogulamba Gadwal districts were already migrating to Karnataka in search of work. He referred to a road accident involving migrant workers from Gadwal district in which a few people lost their lives and others were seriously injured, and said many of those affected belonged to Dalit families.

He recalled that the previous BRS government had taken several initiatives in the combined Palamuru districts, including expanding the irrigation network to improve wage employment within the district and bringing back those who had migrated for work. “Why are workers once again being forced to leave their homes in search of work?” he asked.

Power supply and water

Citing a power shortage and a coal crisis even before the onset of winter, Mr. Rao said farmers across Telangana were facing irregular electricity supply, with many areas reportedly receiving only six to seven hours of power a day. Standing crops were drying up as a result, and farmers were being forced to protest outside power substations instead of working in their fields, he said.

He also accused the government of failing to use available water in the Krishna and Godavari rivers to protect crops by lifting it during the flood season. Water is available at Medigadda on the Godavari even now, but the government has no intent to use it, he alleged.

The charges come amid concern over a weak monsoon and its impact on Rabi cultivation in Telangana, where agriculture supports a large share of the population, directly and through wage employment. The government has not issued a response to Mr. Rao's allegations in this report.