More untimely rain add to Telangana farmers’ woes

Hyderabad: While a fresh spell of untimely rain across Telangana is causing more damage to agricultural crops, the state government has assured farmers that it will stand by them.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and state minister K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday told farmers not to panic over the losses and assured them that the government will render all possible assistance.

KTR, as the Minister is popularly known, voiced concern over the losses incurred by farmers due to untimely rains and hailstorms in various districts.

He asked party MLAs and other public representatives to undertake field visits in their respective constituencies and review the situation in coordination with local officials.

Advising farmers not to worry, he told them that the state government will come to their rescue.

He recalled that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao himself personally visited the affected areas, reviewed the situation and gave an assurance to farmers.

With more rain expected in the next couple of days, KTR requested the officials to be available at the field level.

Agricultural crops in some districts were damaged due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms during the last 3-4 days.

KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, on Sunday directed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to take up the assessment of crop damages.

He asked the Chief Secretary to speak to District Collectors and get detailed reports on crop damages.

Minister for Civil Supplies Gangula Kamalar has assured farmers that the KCR government will provide 100 per cent compensation.

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms had damaged crops over 2.28 lakh acres in various parts of the state last month as well.

KCR had then visited a few affected areas and announced a compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre.

However, after a survey the agriculture department decided to pay compensation only in respect of 1.51 lakh acres.

Officials said the money will be deposited in the bank accounts of 1,30,988 farmers.