*YSRCP demands power subsidy for all aqua farmers by June 10*

Tadepalli, May 30: YSRCP Tadepalligudem constituency coordinator and former APSADA Vice Chairman Vaddi Raghuram demanded that the State government implement subsidised power at Rs.1.50 per unit for all aqua farmers, irrespective of aqua and non-aqua zones, before June 10. He also demanded reimbursement of electricity bills paid by non-aqua zone farmers during the last two years.
Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli on Friday, Raghuram warned that YSRCP, along with aqua farmers, would lay siege to Collectorates across the State if the government failed to fulfil the promises made to farmers. He also announced that former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy would soon hold a meeting with aqua farmers.
Raghuram alleged that the aqua sector has fallen into deep crisis under the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government. He said Chandrababu promised subsidised power at Rs.1.50 per unit during elections but failed to provide even a single new electricity connection in the last two years.
He said the previous YSRCP party government strengthened APSADA and took decisions on feed prices, seed prices and exports only after discussions with farmers and stakeholders. But the present government weakened APSADA and allowed middlemen to dominate the sector, he alleged.
Raghuram also criticised arbitrary hikes in feed prices and demanded that any increase should be discussed with aqua farmers and limited to once a year.