CPI MLA Sambasiva Rao seeks drought relief and repairs of projects on Godavari

Kothagudem: CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao has advised the State government to carry out repairs to lift irrigation projects on the Godavari to alleviate the prevailing shortage of drinking and irrigation water to some extent.

He said that restoring the defunct lift irrigation schemes in the district would help provide irrigation water to farmers, while the party’s district secretary, Sabeer Pasha, demanded that the government release a ‘White Paper’ on water availability in different irrigation projects in the State.

The MLA led a dharna staged by the party at the collectorate here on Tuesday, seeking to declare Telangana a drought-affected State and extend support to farmers affected by drought and recent cyclonic rains.

All political parties should offer suggestions from the perspective of the people to help overcome the crisis. Both the Central and State governments should send teams to visit mandals to listen to the hardships faced by farmers and the general public and accurately assess the extent of the damage, he said.

Sambasiva Rao stated that the State government had requested Rs 25,000 crore from the Centre, but the actual losses could be even higher. Compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre for farmers who could not sow crops, Rs 30,000 per acre for paddy and Rs 50,000 per acre for commercial crops should be paid to make up for the losses caused by drought and rains. He also wanted measures to control rising prices of essential commodities.

Sabeer Pasha stated that since conditions were unfavourable for cultivation during the Yasangi season, the government should provide additional workdays for agricultural labourers and tenant farmers through the employment guarantee scheme.

He further demanded immediate action against those diverting essential goods into the black market and the distribution of 14 types of essential commodities through fair-price shops. Gram panchayats should be given special funds to address drinking water shortages.

Kothagudem Mayor M Ganesh and party leaders Muthyala Viswanadham, Kancharla Jamalaiah, Srinivas, Nerella Ramesh, Kurapati Sudhakar and Venkateswara Rao were present.