Woes of farmers greeted chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy during his farmer-interaction programme at Shamirpet in Ranagareddy district on the first day of his Indiramma Baata programme there.
Increasing prices of fertilisers, power supply problems and pressure from Transco officials were highlighted by Lakshma Reddy and other farmers.
Unlike at other places, farmers here shouted down those ‘engaged’ to give a rosy picture to the visiting chief minister and gave a black and white version of what is happening at the ground level.
They told him insufficient and irregular power supply has made their life very difficult. Further, escalating prices of farm inputs also have them worried.
The chief minister admitted power supply problems and that the assured amount of power is not being supplied.
“I have asked the power utilities to provide seven-hour power in two phases to the farm sector. We are making every effort to address the power situation in the state,” he explained.
Kiran Kumar Reddy, who sought confirmation from his cabinet colleagues on the stage as to when the Money Transfer Scheme will be launched, told farmers that fertiliser subsidy too is likely to be provided through that scheme.
Recognition for Poultry as Farm Activity Sought
Some poultry farmers complained against the transco officials for their harassment and demanded that the government ensure ‘free power’ to the poultry sector too. The chief minister explained that the state government had excluded poultry form VAT and had written to the central government to consider poultry as agriculture activity.
On the first day of his 10th Indiramma Baata programme, the chief minister addressed a series of public meetings and interaction programmes with different communities in Medchal, Ibrahimpatnam and Maheswaram constituencies in Rangareddy district. He laid foundation stones for various welfare and development programmes worth `400 crore.
Kiran Reddy said his government was focusing on important issues like education, employment and women empowerment and spending `25,000 cr for it. The hike in mess chages for SC, ST, BC and minority students showed the commitment of the state government for their welfare, he said.
Call to Back Sabita
In Maheswaram, stating that Sabita Indra Reddy was striving hard for the constituency development, he called upon the people to give their unwavering support to her in future. He sanctioned a degree and a junior college for Maheswaram. He also interacted with members from the Goud community and minorities.