Revanth Reddy makes no Rythu Bharosa or crop-loss compensation announcement at Lagacherla

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s much-publicised “Rythannatho Atmeeya Sabha” (farmers’ public meeting) at Lagacherla on Monday turned out to be a disappointment for farmers. He made no announcements on financial assistance, crop-loss compensation or insurance, or the release of Rythu Bharosa for the ongoing Yasangi season.

Despite naming the meeting after farmers, Revanth Reddy left them uncertain about support at a time when drought conditions and water shortages are threatening agriculture. He did not offer any assurance on compensation for crop losses or financial assistance to farm labourers, many of whom hail from the Palamuru region.

Instead, the Chief Minister appealed to farmers not to cultivate paddy, citing adequate foodgrain stocks and a severe shortage of water. He urged them to use water sparingly and support the government in its fight against El Nino. He promised to reach out to people after the Sankranthi festival.

The meeting, expected to address farmers’ concerns, largely turned into a political platform to attack on former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, BRS working president KT Rama Rao and others. Revanth Reddy accused the previous government of neglecting Palamuru and burdening the State with debt, while asserting that he had no habit of neither lying nor looting.

The Chief Minister claimed that while the previous Congress government handed over the State with Rs 16,000 crore surplus budget to the BRS government, the latter left Rs 8 lakh crore debt for him after 2023 Assembly elections. He said his government has been spending Rs 80,000 crore annually to repay loans and their interests.

He also defended the proposed 200-foot road from Shamshabad airport to Kodangal, estimated to cost Rs 10,000 crore, stating that it was intended to facilitate the constituency’s development.