Nalgonda: Former Minister and Suryapet MLA Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy on Sunday inspected withered crop fields in Telakanti Gudem village of Kanagal mandal in Nalgonda district. He interacted with farmers and assured them of support before addressing the media.
Jagadish Reddy later visited a nearby electricity substation, examined its logbook and spoke with the officials concerned. He questioned the government over the reported crop losses and alleged that farmers were facing hardships because of inadequate water and power supply.
He asked why crops were withering despite water being available in the Krishna river. Jagadish Reddy also demanded that Chief Minister and ministers explain the situation to farmers.
He criticised State Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy over his statements on water use and disputed the government’s explanation of coal shortages and El Niño conditions. He said those who considered the issue political should visit the affected villages and speak directly with farmers.
According to Jagadish Reddy, farmers in the area had told him that cultivation had previously been difficult when Komatireddy Venkat Reddy was their MLA. He said farmers credited former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s tenure with improved cultivation and bumper harvests.
Jagadish Reddy questions power generation
Jagadish Reddy said farmers were now expressing distress over crops withering for the past three years. He questioned the government’s continued references to El Niño and other reasons for the reported shortages.
He claimed that the previous BRS government had made arrangements to generate 21,000 megawatts of power and said Telangana had received continuous 24-hour electricity supply during K. Chandrashekar Rao’s tenure.
He questioned the government’s decision to halt power generation at the Yadadri and Bhadradri plants. Jagadish Reddy said different reasons, including water and coal shortages, were being cited for reduced power and water supplies.
He also alleged that millers were being pressured and that some mills were being forced to shut down. He demanded answers from Ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy and Bhatti Vikramarka over the issues raised by farmers.