Chandrababu focused on publicity, not cyclone relief: Kannababu

Kakinada, Oct 29: Former Minister and YSRCP Regional Coordinator Kurasala Kannababu said the Chandrababu Naidu government had abandoned cyclone-hit farmers and families while concentrating on publicity through reviews, photographs and videos instead of effective field-level relief.
Addressing the media at his camp office in Kakinada, Kannababu questioned why ministers were not deployed to affected areas despite advance cyclone warnings. He criticised the government’s direction asking farmers to upload crop-loss photographs through an app, asking how many farmers had the technical awareness to do so and what Agriculture and Revenue officials were doing if farmers themselves had to document losses.
Kannababu demanded a clear deadline for payment of cyclone compensation and said paddy farmers must receive enhanced assistance in accordance with the Scale of Assistance revised through G.O. No.5 dated November 14, 2023 during the YSRCP government. He said the government itself estimated crop damage over about 8.30 lakh acres, including 7.60 lakh acres of paddy, and questioned why compensation for paddy farmers was not being increased.
He said the Y.S. Jagan government had registered crops through Rythu Bharosa Kendras, implemented free crop insurance and paid insurance compensation of ₹23,000 to ₹29,000 per acre in the region between 2019 and 2024, while also paying input subsidy before the next crop season. He charged that farmers were now left without effective free crop insurance or timely input subsidy because the government failed to pay its premium share.
Kannababu also demanded compensation for tenant farmers, fishermen who lost boats and nets, and aqua farmers affected by damaged ponds and power disruptions. He called for medical camps in cyclone-hit areas and disclosure of beneficiary lists and relief distributed. He also sought postponement of electoral processes in affected Kakinada areas until field verification and public objections were properly completed, saying the government must stop “publicity stunts” and ensure fair compensation to every affected family.