TDP promises budget for agricultural sector

HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam, if voted to power, will introduce an exclusive budget for the welfare of farmers. It will also provide nine-hour free power supply to farmers during daytime.In his wrapping-up remarks after a thorough debate on the farmers’ issue on the first day of Mahanadu on Friday, Naidu demanded that the state government introduce a budget for the farmers. “Agriculture is in doldrums. If the Congress fails to allocate funds in the budget, the TDP will introduce a budget for farmers,” Naidu declared.  Naidu demanded implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations, a minimum support price of Rs 2,033 for paddy besides Rs 200 bonus per a quintal of paddy.Demanding a change in the agri-insurance policy, Naidu wanted the state and central governments to pay the entire insurance premium on behalf of farmers. The Seed Bill had been pending in Parliament for the last ten years, he said and urged the Centre to have the bill passed immediately to save farmers from spurious seeds.  Accusing the Congress government of failing to provide nine-hour free power supply for agriculture, Naidu said a TDP government in future would supply free power for nine hours to farmers during day time.The Mahanadu also urged the government to introduce a comprehensive water management policy after consulting irrigation experts optimum and effective use of water sources in the state.The Mahanadu also demanded national status for both the Pranahita-Chevella and Polavaram irrigation projects immediately and wanted a CBI probe into the irregularities in the execution of Jalayagnam.  On infrastructure, the TDP demanded repairs of all bad roads. Stating that the power utility was in crisis, the Mahanadu urged the government to strengthen the power sector. It also demanded that the permissions accorded for uranium and atomic power plants be cancelled and recalled that no state had allowed a uranium plant after the Jarkhand plant in 1967. “The Rajasekhara Reddy government had permitted uranium mining in Pulivendula in Kadapa district with an eye on kickbacks,” the Mahanadu alleged.The party also opposed petroleum refineries along the state’s coast.