Hans News Service Hyderabad

AdilabadMLA Payal Shankar criticized the Telangana state government on Tuesday, stating that local farmers are mired in a severe crisis due to adverse natural conditions and lack of governmental support. Addressing a press conference alongside BJP Kisan Morcha State President Baswapuram Lakshminarsaiah, he issued a strict deadline of October 21 for the Congress administration to fulfill core agricultural demands. The requirements include providing Rs 50,000 per acre compensation for crop losses incurred during the Vanakalam season, implementing a complete crop loan waiver for the current agricultural cycle, and ensuring immediate implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana with the state government bearing one hundred percent of premium costs for the upcoming Yasangi season. Payal Shankar warned that if the state government fails to take a definitive decision on crop insurance by October 21, the BJP Kisan Morcha will launch a massive Rythu Yatra starting October 22 from Adilabad to the Secretariat in Hyderabad. The party announced that its state president will flag off the rally, with prominent central and state leaders participating alongside thousands of farmers. Additionally, a party delegation will conduct a field inspection in Nalgonda district on Wednesday to assess crop damage.

The lawmaker highlighted that agriculturalists face distress due to El Nino conditions, deficient rainfall, and frequent power cuts, calling the non-implementation of PMFBY an unforgivable offense. He noted that even the Communist government in Kerala implements the central insurance scheme, whereas Telangana farmers suffer due to official negligence. Criticizing both the previous BRS regime and the current Congress government for ignoring farmer promises, he noted that under PMFBY, affected farmers would have received Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 per acre in direct compensation for seasonal losses.