Highlights from YS Jagan's speech

Moved by the plight of farmers who were getting a raw deal in the Chandrababu Naidu government, YSR Congress President, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that farmers’ welfare and agriculture will get its rightful place in the Navaratnas and will be taken up in the right spirit.

During an interactive session with farmers here on Tuesday as part of the Praja Sankalpa Yatra, the Leader of Opposition said, ‘ Chandrababu Naidu has gone back on all poll promises he made and the loan waiver to farmers and women groups was reduced to a farce but when our government is formed with your blessings, farmers will get nine hour free power, besides interest-free loans, Rs 12,500 advance ahead of the sowing season apart from setting up of Rs 3,000 crore Market Stabilisation Fund to check the price fluctuations to ensure MSP to farm produce.

Agriculture and irrigation were always neglected by TDP government. It was Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy who had brought Handri-Neva project to near completion by releasing Rs 6,000 crores. Chandrababu Naidu did not even dig a side canal which would have gushed water to this arid region. Srisailam will be brimming with water but the Chief Minister would not build flood-flow canal from Pothireddypadu,’ he said.

During elections Chandrababu Naidu had made many promises and asked for votes assuring that the gold pawned in the banks would be redeemed after he waives the loans. He failed on that promise and the banks are sending auction notices instead.

Not a single crop is getting MSP. Drought and floods have taken a heavy toll on agriculture sector. People in large numbers are migrating to other states in search of work as they were not getting the money even after eight months under NREGS, which is a Central scheme.