Govt Ignoring Mango Farmers: Jagan Reddy
Ex-CM vows to lead their struggle for justice
TIRUPATI: YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has criticised the TD-led state government, saying it has failed to support the farming community, particularly mango cultivators facing a huge market slump this season.
During a visit to the Bangarupalem market yard in Puthalapattu constituency on Wednesday, Jagan Reddy interacted with mango cultivators and alleged that the government had pushed them into a debt trap by failing to ensure minimum support prices (MSP) for their produce.
He said the farming community had been left without institutional support at a time when prices fell rock-bottom.
“If everything is normal, why have so many farmers come here to voice their pain,” the former chief minister asked while addressing the media. “Since this government came to power, not a single crop is getting MSP. They are completely indifferent.”
“I have come here to remind them of their duty. From now on, I will take the lead in fighting for farmers’ rights,” he said.
Jagan Mohan Reddy said mango farmers were offered just `12 per kg, compared to the `22 to `29 his government gave them. “This drop in price is not a market fluctuation. It is the result of governmental apathy,” he said.
He also questioned the government's claims on support mechanisms. “Where are the processing units that were supposed to pay `8 per kg? How many actually did? And how many farmers received the `4 subsidy promised by the state,” he asked.
Seeking immediate procurement of Totapuri mangoes at `14 per kg, Jagan Mohan Reddy said the government should also bear the transportation and labour costs. “If Karnataka is able to procure mangoes at `16 a kg, why can’t we do so,” he asked.
Jagan Mohan Reddy highlighted the deterioration of agricultural infrastructure, claiming that the Rythu Bharosa Kendras and agriculture labs became non-functional. Farmers, said, are no longer receiving input subsidies or investment assistance. “Instead, the government is filing false cases and arresting farmers to silence them.
He assured the farming community that the YSRC would continue to raise their concerns and stand by them.
Criticising the police deployment during his visit, Jagan Mohan Reddy said nearly 2,000 personnel were posted to prevent farmers from meeting him and over 1,200 people were taken into custody. He appealed to the police not to fall for the NDA government’s allurements and corruption, and asserted that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would abandon them.