Expedite recording of crop loss, demands Congress

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) working president Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has demanded the State government expedite the process of enumeration of crop loss inflicted by the unseasonal rains across the district on Sunday to mitigate the plight of misery-stricken farmers.

The situation of the maize farmers was hit hard by nature’s fury in the district, which calls for urgent remedial steps such as provision of adequate compensation to offset the enormous losses, he insisted.

Mr. Vikramarka was speaking to reporters at Proddutur in Chinthakani mandal on Wednesday after interacting with several farmers in rain-affected maize and other fields in Khammam Rural, Chintakani, Bonakal and Mudigonda mandals along with Congress Legislature Party leader K. Jana Reddy and deputy leader P. Sudhakar Reddy.

In Gollapadu, T. Nageswara Rao, a farmer, narrated the devastation caused by the latest bout of unseasonal rains.

The sudden spell of heavy rain coupled with gusty winds wrecked havoc on that fateful night leaving the standing maize crops spread over five acres in my maize field extensively damaged, he recalled.

“All my hard labour spanning several months and investment went in vain,” he deplored, pleading with the Congress delegation to help him secure compensation.

Trail of destruction

Later, talking to media, the Congress leaders said the recent unseasonal rains had left a trail of destruction, severely damaging maize, paddy, chilli and mango crops in thousands of acres in various parts of the district.

Mr. Vikramarka said maize farmers were the worst hit by the rain as the extensive damage of their crops mean huge financial losses.

Farmers had invested amounts ranging from ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per acre, he said.

“The recent spell of unseasonal rains has damaged maize crops in over 10,000 acres in the district. The government should shed its lethargy and come to the rescue of the distressed farmers to help them cope with the enormous losses,” he said.

Mr. Sudhakar Reddy said the government should press into action officials from the departments and agencies concerned to complete the exercise of enumeration of crop losses on a war-footing for providing succour to the distressed farmers at the earliest.