Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday accused the Opposition BRS of misinterpreting the Governor's speech, saying, "They think their ignorance is their knowledge."
He added that his government is running all institutions in the true spirit of the Indian Constitution. "Ever since the People's Government came into power, we have been moving forward by giving utmost importance to and respecting institutions," Reddy said in the Telangana Assembly. He criticized BRS leaders, saying, "Those who claim to be seniors and have been ministers for 10 years misinterpreted the Governor's speech. They think their ignorance is their knowledge." The Chief Minister said that his government respects the constitutional system and is open to considering suggestions from all members. "We take into account all the issues raised by the members and have no objection to considering their suggestions," he said. Taking a swipe at the previous BRS government, the Chief Minister said, "After ten years of destruction and dictatorship, the people wanted a change. That is the reason we are here, with the blessings of the people." He highlighted the importance of agriculture, saying, "70 per cent of Telangana's population depends on farming." "In the past, people struggled for land and liberation. Land is the self-respect of the people of Telangana. Our government has a history of waiving off loans worth Rs. 20,624 crores, relieving farmers from debt burdens. Our government has the credit of enabling farmers to live with self-respect," he said. Reddy also accused the previous government of halting the Rythu Bandhu scheme under the pretext of elections. "The previous government stopped the release of the Rythu Bandhu scheme benefits under the guise of elections. My government released Rs. 7,625 crores and deposited it within three months of coming to power. Rythu Bharosa's benefit has been increased to Rs. 12,000 per year," he said. The Chief Minister said that to "brighten the lives" of the landless poor, the government is also providing Rs. 12,000 to each family under the Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa scheme. Criticizing the BRS government's handling of paddy procurement, Reddy said, "The previous government did not purchase paddy, saying the government is not a trade body. The last government also threatened that paddy cultivation was a suicidal attempt." "My government purchased paddy by paying a Rs. 1,206 crore bonus to farmers. 1 crore 56 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were produced without the Kaleshwaram project. We are solving farmers' grievances by constituting a Farmers Commission," he added. Lashing out at BRS leader K. Chandrashekar Rao, Reddy accused him of failing to act in Telangana's interests. "When we came to power, we fought for water with the Center. Isn't it true that KCR, who got the Union Minister post with the blessings of YSR, remained silent while the Pothireddypadu capacity was enhanced? Isn't he the one who turned the districts of Telangana into migrant districts and exploited the farmers? If they had not cooperated, would the Pothireddypadu capacity have increased?" he questioned. (ANI)
|