Hyderabad: Former minister Sabitha Indra Reddy accused the Congress government of neglecting Telangana farmers and failing to provide basic support. She said the government had not ensured adequate electricity, irrigation water or drinking water supplies. She also alleged that farmers faced pressure over cultivation and land acquisition.
According to Sabitha, the government had discouraged farmers from sowing crops after the Congress came to power. Moreover, she criticised its failure to provide reliable electricity and irrigation facilities. She added that the state could not ensure adequate drinking water supplies.
The former minister also said the Congress government cancelled Metro rail tenders after taking office. However, she questioned its claims about introducing bullet trains. She cited Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s statement that officials had not finalised the proposed bullet train alignment.
Sabitha further said Vaishnaw had described land acquisition before finalising the alignment as illegal. Against this backdrop, she questioned why authorities had taken land in Bahadurpura. She also alleged that officials were forcing farmers to surrender their land.
Telangana farmers raise concerns over land acquisition
Sabitha said farmers in the Kodangal Assembly constituency faced severe distress. She claimed the situation had reached a point where farmers were contemplating suicide. In addition, she accused the government of troubling people in a constituency that had voted for it.
The former minister alleged that the government was acquiring thousands of acres across the undivided Ranga Reddy district. She then questioned Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over what she called his excessive appetite for land.
Sabitha also challenged the government to explain the need for a new road from Kotwalguda to Kodangal. She alleged that Revanth Reddy wanted to sell land to fund the administration.
Regarding the Nadargul lands, Sabitha said the properties belonged to the government. However, she alleged that private individuals were encroaching on them. She urged the government to stop what she described as politically motivated acts of retaliation.