*Fulfil Rs. 1.50 power promise to aqua farmers: Vaddi Raghuram*

Tadepalli, Feb 9: YSRCP Tadepalligudem constituency coordinator and former Aqua Culture Development Board Chairman Vaddi Raghuram demanded that the coalition government immediately honour its election promise of supplying electricity to aqua farmers at ₹1.50 per unit, irrespective of aqua or non-aqua zone classification. Speaking at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, he warned that if the promise is not implemented by the end of this month, the party will launch a large-scale agitation.

Raghuram stated that since the coalition government came to power, the aqua sector has been left at the mercy of middlemen, who now dictate seed and feed prices. He said that despite a crash in soy prices earlier, feed prices were reduced by only Rs. 4 and that too due to pressure from former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Now, citing rising soy prices, even that minor reduction has been reversed. He accused traders of manipulating shrimp prices under the pretext of US tariffs, lowering purchase prices when tariffs were high and failing to raise them even after US duties dropped from 50% to 18%.

He contrasted this with the YSRCP tenure, stating that decisions on feed, seed, pricing, and exports were taken in consultation with farmers. He noted that under YSRCP, 3.51 lakh acres were brought under aqua zones, subsidised power at Rs. 1.50 per unit was extended even to small farmers, and around Rs. 3,640 crore in benefits were delivered through 50,800 connections. He added that 22 review meetings were held with farmers and local markets were expanded through the Fish Andhra program.
Raghuram said nearly 30 lakh people dependent on aquaculture are now suffering due to government inaction. He accused the government of harassing farmers with fresh registration requirements while failing to deliver promised subsidies.
He also criticised coalition leaders for spreading misinformation on the Tirumala Laddu issue despite Supreme Court directions against politicising it, and accused them of diverting attention from governance failures. He claimed that even after SIT reports found no adulteration, political propaganda continues. He further alleged food safety violations by private dairy firms linked to ruling leaders and said the government was misleading the public.
He reiterated that YSRCP will stand firmly with aqua farmers and intensify protests if the promised power subsidy is not delivered.