Govt abandoned farmers hit by Montha Cyclone

Tadepalli, Nov 8: YSRCP Spokesperson and former MLA Kaile Anil Kumar strongly condemned the coalition government led by Chandrababu Naidu for failing to support farmers devastated by the Montha cyclone. 
Addressing media at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli, he said the government has abandoned farmers while shamelessly claiming credit for “stopping the cyclone.”
Anil Kumar said days have passed since the cyclone but the government has neither completed crop loss assessment nor announced compensation. “Chandrababu has always looked down upon farmers. Today, cyclone-hit farmers are left helpless, yet the CM is busy celebrating imaginary achievements,” he said.
He slammed the government for blackmailing farmers by imposing a condition that those who accept compensation cannot sell their paddy to the government. “This is nothing but coercion and betrayal. It has never happened in the history of the state,” he warned.
He pointed out that while the government claims only 2 lakh acres suffered damage, ground reports indicate losses across 11 lakh acres. He demanded an immediate announcement of compensation, public display of damaged crop lists in village secretariats, and a process to address objections.
Terming the government’s suspension of e-crop and cancellation of free crop insurance as “anti-farmer”, he said tenant farmers were completely ignored — no support, no cards, no input assistance, no urea supply. “YS Jagan ensured relief irrespective of caste, party or region. Under Naidu, farmers are forced to defend their identity before seeking support,” he said.
He demanded immediate free crop insurance revival, Rabi seeds and input support, and unconditional purchase of paddy including discoloured and cyclone-affected grains.
Responding to questions, he condemned police high-handedness against women who came to meet YS Jagan in affected areas. “File cases on sand smugglers and belt shop operators — not on farmers and opposition leaders,” he cautioned. “If the government continues political discrimination in compensation, people will give a befitting reply.”