Synopsis
K.T. Rama Rao, BRS Working President, thanked FM Nirmala Sitharaman for addressing Telangana farmers' challenges with the loan waiver scheme, despite his criticisms of her policies. He highlighted the distress faced by farmers and criticized local BJP leaders for their lack of support.Key Takeaways
- K.T. Rama Rao appreciates FM Nirmala Sitharaman's support for farmers.
- Criticism of Telangana government for poor loan waiver implementation.
- Half of Telangana farmers reportedly left without loan waivers.
- Rising farmer suicides and severe water crisis in Telangana.
- Telangana government claims successful loan waiver completion.
Hyderabad, March 27 (NationPress) K.T. Rama Rao, the Working President of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), expressed gratitude towards Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for bringing attention to the struggles of farmers in Telangana regarding the loan waiver initiative.
“Even though I have numerous disagreements with Madam FM Nirmala Sitharaman Garu and her economic strategies, I sincerely appreciate her for this effort. Thank you for addressing this issue and amplifying the voices of farmers in Telangana,” K.T. Rama Rao shared on his X handle on Thursday.
In her address during a session in the Rajya Sabha on the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, she criticized the Telangana government for inadequately executing the farm loan waiver initiative.
Sitharaman claimed that half of the farmers were denied loan waivers, while their names were recorded by banks, rendering them ineligible for future loans as well.
She was responding to remarks made by BRS member Ravi Chandra Vaddiraju regarding the loan waiver initiative in Telangana.
K.T. Rama Rao contended that not even 30% of farmers had their loans waived.
“Suicides among farmers are on the rise. Raithu Bandhu payments are not being disbursed. We face a significant water crisis. This is the first time in a decade that the farming community in Telangana is experiencing such severe hardship,” remarked the former minister.
However, K.T. Rama Rao also criticized local BJP leaders in Telangana for their lack of support for farmers.
“I must also inform you, Nirmala Sitharaman ji, that your local BJP leadership seems more like personal aides to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. They remain silent on farmers' issues here and instead attack us for questioning the government’s negligence,” he stated.
Telangana’s Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao informed the Assembly last week that the state government had fulfilled the farm loan waiver.
He mentioned that the government allocated Rs. 20,616 crore to waive loans of up to Rs. 2 lakh, benefiting approximately 25 lakh farm families through the initiative.
