In a dramatic turn of events, farmers in Telangana have expressed their deep frustration with the state government's handling of the Crop Loan Waiver Scheme by staging a symbolic protest that included a mock funeral for Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. This demonstration, which took place on Saturday in the Thalamadugu Mandal of Adilabad district, was a stark portrayal of their discontent.
The farmers carried an effigy of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy through the streets, treating it as if it were a funeral procession. During this protest, they chanted slogans such as "CM down down" and struck the effigy with slippers, symbolizing their anger and dissatisfaction with the government's failure to meet its promises. The demonstration, meant to bring attention to their grievances, quickly turned chaotic. Police intervention aimed at dispersing the crowd led to a stampede-like situation, further inflaming the tension.
The core issue behind the protests is the alleged inadequacy of the Telangana government's response to the financial woes of farmers. Despite the state's claims of fulfilling its promises, many farmers argue that the support provided has not been sufficient to alleviate their mounting debts. The Telangana government has reported that it has completed the third and final phase of the Crop Loan Waiver Scheme, allocating Rs 5,644.24 crore for this purpose, and has released a total of Rs 17,000 crore under the scheme. However, these efforts are viewed by many farmers as insufficient to address the scale of their financial difficulties.
In the wake of these protests, former Telangana Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) has announced that his party will initiate a data collection drive across all constituencies to assess the effectiveness and reach of the Crop Loan Waiver Scheme. KTR has pledged that the BRS will ensure that every eligible farmer receives the benefits of the loan waiver and intends to exert pressure on the ruling Congress government to address the issues raised by the farmers.
The unrest among the farmers highlights a growing rift between the government and the agricultural community in Telangana. The farmers' protests, marked by their symbolic funeral for the Chief Minister, underscore their urgent demand for greater accountability and more substantial measures to support those struggling with agricultural debt. The situation remains tense as both the government and the farmers grapple with the fallout from these ongoing disputes.
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