Harish Rao slams Congress over broken promises during Machapur village visit

Hyderabad: Former minister and senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao visited Machapur village in Siddipet Rural mandal, where residents expressed deep dissatisfaction over the Congress government’s failure to deliver key welfare schemes despite being in power for over a year.

At the village chowdi, Harish Rao sat with elders and locals, listening to their grievances on pensions, power cuts, fertilizer shortages, and discontinued benefits.

Harish Rao Machapur visit: Villagers demand accountability on promises

Villagers said they voted for Congress after Chief Minister Revanth Reddy promised ₹4,000 pensions. However, they pointed out that not only did the increase never happen, but even the existing ₹2,000 from KCR’s tenure often arrives late.

They also criticised the halt in new pensions and the rollback of age eligibility from 57 to 65 years. “Many widows and people in urgent need no longer receive support,” one resident said. Several farmers alleged that the government now selectively withholds Rythu Bandhu funds. “Officials are excluding even farmers with small landholdings,” another added.

Electricity supply came up repeatedly as a concern. “Under BRS, we had 24-hour power. Now, we wait overnight at bore wells, motors are burning, and cuts begin by 5:30 PM,” a farmer shared. Others mentioned fertilizer shortages, the cancellation of Bathukamma sarees, and the unfulfilled Kalyana Lakshmi gold scheme.

Women also questioned the bus fare exemption policy. “Women travel free, but men face higher fares,” one woman remarked, calling the scheme unfair.

Harish Rao promises Assembly action on key issues

Harish Rao assured the villagers that he would take their concerns to the Assembly. “I will confront this government about your issues. You can count on me to expose their failures,” he said.

Addressing a question on borewell works, he explained that tenders would be completed within the month. “I’ve already spoken to the Collector. Work will begin in the next few weeks,” he confirmed.