HYDERABAD
Deputy Floor Leader of the BRS Legislature Party and former minister T. Harish Rao has strongly criticised the Congress government for its mishandling of the drought-like situation, power shortages and irrigation crisis in the State.
The government had failed to prepare for the El Nino conditions despite the forecast and warnings over the past nine months. He alleged that the government had not taken any concrete measures to protect farmers and agricultural labourers.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has no time to interact with farmers despite sending messages asking farmers to gather at Rythu Vedikas at 11 a.m., and the virtual meet was cancelled as he was preoccupied with his political engagements, Mr. Rao alleged addressing a press conference here on Monday.
On the reports that the government suggested farmers not to go for the second (Rabi) crop due to shortage of water and power, he asked: “How will they survive without cultivation for a reason and what will happen to agricultural labourers who depend on daily wages from farm work”. He demanded that the government announce an alternative action plan instead of giving free advice.
‘Migration’ begins
Stating that agricultural labourers from Mahabubnagar and Jogulamba Gadwal districts were already migrating to Karnataka in search of work, he referred to a road accident involving migrant workers from Gadwal district, in which a few lost their lives and others suffered serious injuries. He said many of the affected workers belonged to Dalit families.
He recalled how the BRS government in the past had taken several initiatives in the combined Palamuru districts like expanding the irrigation network to improve the wage employment opportunities within the district and bringing back those who had migrated in search of employment. “Why are workers once again being forced to leave their homes in search of work? he sought to know.
Citing power shortage and coal crisis even before the commencement of winter season, Mr. Harish Rao said farmers across Telangana were facing irregular power supply with many areas reportedly receiving only six to seven hours of electricity. As a result, standing crops were drying up while farmers were forced to protest outside power substations, instead of working in their fields.
He also accused the government of failing to use available water in the Krishna and Godavari rivers to protect crops by lifting it when there was flood. Water is available at Medigadda in Godavari even now, but the government has no intent to avail it, he alleged.
Published – October 12, 2026 07:17 pm IST
